Northridge’s 7-4 Win Still Warrants Immediate Batting Practice

Nonconference baseball games--even three-run victories--are not cause for great celebration. The only thing that followed Cal State Northridge’s 7-4 nonconference victory over visiting United States International University on Saturday was more batting practice.

“We’re struggling offensively,” CSUN Coach Bill Kernen said as he supervised the Matadors’ postgame practice. “We haven’t done anything yet. We haven’t buried anyone yet.”

CSUN (11-2) has won, just not very impressively. Despite being nine games over .500, the Matadors have only outscored their opponents by four runs. Six of their 11 wins have been by one or two runs.

“We are one-fourth of the way through the season and we haven’t busted loose offensively yet,” Kernen said. “We haven’t gotten the job done offensively by a long shot.”

Much of the credit for CSUN’s offensive production against USIU can go to shortstop Mike Solar. Playing in only his second game after missing two weeks because of a split finger suffered fielding a ball, Solar had three hits and two runs batted in.

“He came back swinging just like when he left. He didn’t miss a beat,” Kernen said. “It was real good to see him back in there.”

Solar’s run-scoring single capped a three-run first inning that put CSUN ahead, 3-1. Solar also singled in a run during the Matadors’ three-run third and singled during the seventh to continue a rally.

“I can’t stand sitting out,” Solar said. “I love this game. That’s why I want to be out there.”

And with Solar sparking the offense, CSUN pitcher Steve Sullivan was grounding the Gulls (8-11), a Division I independent.

The freshman, in only his third start, allowed seven hits and three earned runs while striking out nine in eight-plus innings.

“Those guys have some bats and Steve made it look easier than it really is,” Kernen said. “He was in command most of the way.”

Sullivan’s only trouble came in the seventh and ninth innings, when he allowed three runs combined. Sullivan retired 12 of 13 batters during one stretch from the third through the sixth innings.

“I was just doing my job,” Sullivan said. “I don’t look at the score. My job is to just go out there and try to throw zeroes.”

Ted Weisfuss, Denny Vigo and Rusty McLain each had two hits for the Matadors and Vigo, McLain and John Bonilla each scored two runs.

Bonilla also drove in two runs.