CSUN to Open 3-Game Series at Las Vegas

Cal State Northridge played its baseball opener last weekend, but Coach Bill Kernen says the Matadors will face their first real test of the season at 3 p.m. today when they open a three-game series against Nevada Las Vegas at UNLV’s Roger Barson Field.

The Rebels will be playing their opener. CSUN is 3-0, having swept Grand Canyon University, 11-2, 12-2, 15-7, last weekend in Phoenix.

“It will be definitely more of a test for us as far as the quality of our opponent,” Kernen said. “We’re looking at it like our fourth league game and our first in the Big West Conference.”

The three-game set against Las Vegas marks the start of 18 games Northridge has scheduled against Big West teams this season.

Right-hander Scott Sharts (1-0) will start for Northridge. He will be opposed by right-hander Brian Boehringer, a hard thrower who was a middle-round draft selection of the Houston Astros last June.

“He’ll be the best pitcher we’ve faced in a long time,” Kernen said.

Ken Kendrena (1-0) will go for CSUN on Saturday at 1 p.m. against UNLV’s Jonathan Jarolimek. Doug VanderWeele will go for the Rebels in the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m., and the Matadors will counter with David Eggert (1-0).

Las Vegas won two of three against Northridge last season at Barnson Field, a college baseball equivalent to Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

“If the wind is blowing out, it’s like a Little League field,” Kernen said. “If it’s blowing in, you can’t hit a ball to the outfield.”