CSUN Wins on Home Run by Anderson

Before Mark Anderson hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to give Cal State Northridge a 6-3 nonconference victory over Biola at Northridge on Thursday, the game bore every resemblance to a Bad News Bears intra-squad battle.

Two of CSUN’s first three runs and all three Biola runs were unearned. It was more a battle of wayward pitches than bats.

Biola pitcher Matt Biggs (0-6), had given up seven walks and thrown two wild pitches by the fourth inning. Northridge (29-16) had the bases loaded with two out in both the third and fourth innings but failed to score.

The complexion of the game changed, however, when Anderson stepped to the plate in the seventh with Lenn Gilmore on third and Tim Rapp aboard on a walk. Anderson swung at the first pitch, a fastball, sending it over the left-field wall for his sixth home run. It was Anderson’s first start in left field since he injured his back two weeks ago. The right fielder had hit a long fly ball to left field in the second inning.

“Every time we play a small college, they give us a lot of trouble,” Anderson said. “I wasn’t sure we were going to pull it out. I thought I had a home run before when I hit it deep in the park.”

That was a common belief among Northridge batters, who made 18 outs on balls hit in the air.

Biola (14-19) had six hits off Northridge pitcher Pablo Suarez (3-0) but stranded eight runners. Suarez retired 14 of the last 16 batters.

“I’m very disappointed in our offensive execution,” Biola Coach Charles Sarver said. “All we needed was a couple of key guys to hit ground balls to second and the run scores.”

The Eagles had little success against Suarez, who pitched a complete game, striking out five and walking four.

Biggs was replaced by Larry Kruger after Anderson’s home run. Kruger allowed one hit in 1 innings.

Northridge had seven hits, including doubles by John Balfanz, Jim Vatcher and Gilmore, but committed two errors.

“We seemed to be doing a better job defensively before today,” CSUN Coach Terry Craven said.