CSUN Is Surprised by Azusa

Paul Cunningham and Greg Shirley of Azusa Pacific College had Cal State Northridge starting pitcher Steve Sharts’ number Wednesday before a sparse crowd at Azusa. And the result was a 10-4 upset victory over the Matadors.

Cunningham homered, doubled and singled in three at-bats off Sharts, while Shirley homered and singled.

Sharts was touched for 8 hits and 8 runs in six innings as the Matadors dropped to 13-5 this season. The win was only the second for Azusa in 17 games.

After Cunningham had doubled and Larry Baab had walked in the first inning for Azusa, Shirley hit a three-run home run.

A Cunningham single opened a three-run Azusa third inning. Singles by Rich Scheevel and Shirley then extended the Azusa lead to 6-0.

Cunningham again tagged Sharts--this time for a solo home run--in the fourth inning. After Mark LeFebvre homered for Azusa in the sixth inning, Northridge trailed, 8-1.

Catcher Gerry Bernard homered twice late in the game for Northridge, while center fielder Bryant Long added a double.

Though Northridge outhit Azusa, 11-10, Azusa pitcher Rick Grant held on for the complete-game victory.

Carl Buttera replaced Sharts in the six inning, allowing a two-run home run by left fielder Keith Beato. Scheevel had singled ahead of Beato.