CSUN Batters UC Riverside, Record Book in 15-3 Victory

If Cal State Northridge was looking to send a message to the NCAA regional tournament selection committee, it’s one-sided, 15-3 victory over visiting UC Riverside on Tuesday would be hard to ignore.

The Matadors broke four school records and tied another to move within a game of clinching second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn.

If CSUN (36-18, 18-10 in conference) is to advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs, it will require an at-large berth from the regional selection committee. In the meantime, the Matadors are just enjoying themselves.

“It’s a lot of fun being in the record books,” said Jim Vatcher, whose leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning gave CSUN a school-record 50 in conference play. The Matadors would hit six more in the game for a running total of 56.

John Balfanz, who hit a solo home run in the first, connected for his second of the game and 16th this season in the fourth. It was CSUN’s 95th home run this season, another school record which would reach 99 by the end of the day.

CSUN also established school records for runs batted in in conference play, doubles in a season and tied a record with seven home runs in the game.

Left-hander John LaRosa (7-2) allowed 7 hits and struck out 5 to earn the complete-game win.

With only two CCAA games remaining, CSUN holds a three-game lead over third-place Pomona. A win today over the Broncos would clinch second place in the conference, but not necessarily a spot in the regionals, for CSUN.

“I think with our overall record and the schedule we play we’d have to be considered,” CSUN Coach Terry Craven said. “It’s up to a selection committee and there’s never a guarantee. But they will have a tough time keeping us out.”