Northridge to Face San Luis Obispo in Weekend Games

The Cal State Northridge baseball team will attempt to gain momentum in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. race when the Matadors play host to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in single games today and Sunday.

Northridge (9-18 overall, 1-1 in conference play) is coming off a 3-2 win over Chapman on Tuesday. Cary Snyder (2-2, 6.34 earned-run average) will start for the Matadors today. Outfielder Lenn Gilmore, who is batting .306, leads the conference in home runs (7) and runs batted in (30).

San Luis Obispo (11-14, 0-4) has lost eight of its past 10 games, including a pair to conference opponents UC Riverside and Cal Poly Pomona. The Mustangs have not been able to practice this past week because of final exams.

“It’s nice to have finals behind us and to have that off the kids’ minds,” Mustang Coach Steve McFarland said. “The biggest thing for us now is to be ready to play and compete again.”

Keith Chura (2-1, 2.68 ERA), a junior right-hander, will start for San Luis Obispo today. Junior right-hander Greg Paxton (1-2, 4.67 ERA) will start Sunday. The Mustangs are led by outfielder Rich Shepperd, who is batting .395 with 4 home runs and 24 RBIs.