Sharts Misses No-Hitter but Hits 2 Homers in 11-4 Northridge Win

Scott Sharts continued to be the big bopper and big stopper for Cal State Northridge. Sharts hit two home runs, giving him 10 for the season and putting him within three of the school career record, and he earned his fourth victory of the season after taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning of an 11-4 nonconference victory over San Jose State on Friday.

“It was an outstanding day for him,” Northridge Coach Bill Kernen said. “It’s not just today. He’s had some other games recently where he’s really dominated at the plate and on the mound. I would imagine he’s in the running for most wins and most home runs in college baseball.”

Sharts, who has hit two home runs in each of his past two games, put Northridge (12-4) on top with a three-run home run in the third. He hit his second homer on the first pitch of the fifth inning. Denny Vigo followed with a home run, his second of the season, on the next pitch.

Sharts now has 39 home runs in his two seasons as a Matador and needs only three to tie the record set by John Balfanz from 1985-87.

Northridge led, 7-0, after 5 1/2 innings, but San Jose State (4-7) touched Sharts (4-0) for three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Northridge answered with three runs in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach.

“I was happy to see us come back and score three in the top of the seventh,” Kernen said. “I think that kind of set them back on their heels a little bit. I think that was a key to the game.”

Sharts, a junior right-hander, struck out four and walked three in eight innings to spark Northridge to its sixth victory in a row.

“Six is a nice start, but we feel like when we are really in high gear, we can reel off several in a row like this.” Kernen said.

Sharts was three for three with five runs batted in, but he did not carry the Northridge offense by himself.

Craig Clayton was three for six with three runs scored and extended his hitting streak to seven games. Greg Shockey pushed his hitting streak to eight games with a double.