SPRING HIGHLIGHTS : Northridge Rallies to Win Last Game of the Season, 7-4

After falling behind by three runs in the first inning, the Cal State Northridge baseball team rallied to score seven runs over the next six innings at home Wednesday to beat Chapman College, 7-4.

Dan Gonzales went the distance for Northridge for his third win in 11 decisions. The Matadors closed out the California Collegiate Athetic Assn. season with a 14-15 record. They were 23-25 overall.

Steve Dunn (6-11), from Chaminade High, was the loser for Chapman. With one game remaining, the Panthers are 12-17 in league and 20-31 overall.

Chapman took the lead in the first inning when Darren Nelson hit his fourth home run of the year, a two-run shot over the 330-foot mark in right.

Three solo home runs helped the Matadors overcome the deficit. Craig Burns hit his third homer in two days in the second inning, trimming Champman’s lead to 4-1.

With CSUN trailing, 4-3, in the fifth, John Balfanz hit his 18th homer of the year over the right-field fence. Right fielder Jim Vatcher lashed his eighth home run of the year in the seventh inning.

Although Northridge took the season series from Chapman, 3-2, Matador Coach Terry Craven felt the win was a bit out of place.

“Traditionally, our last game of the year, except for the last two years, has been a win in the playoffs,” he said. “They played well yesterday and today. It’s a good feeling to finish the year.”