Northridge Spoils Robinson’s Homecoming

Jody Robinson, Loyola Marymount’s first-year coach, lives just down the street from the Cal State Northridge baseball field, where he worked as an assistant coach last season.

“I came here right from home today,” Robinson said. “That was my only smart move.”

That’s because a group of his former pupils pounded his current pitching staff for 14 hits in a 12-3 victory at Matador Field on Wednesday. And although Loyola pitchers suffered the brunt of the damage, Robinson took the blame for the result.

“This is pretty much all my fault,” he insisted. “I made the mistake of scheduling them.”

Indeed, when he took over the Loyola program last summer, there were five open spots on the Lions’ schedule. Robinson filled them with games against teams ranked in the Top 20 of both national polls--three against Cal State Fullerton and two against Northridge.

So far, Loyola is 0 for 2 against the late additions, 10-27 overall.

Northridge (24-7-1) pounded four Loyola pitchers Wednesday, scoring runs in every inning but the fourth and fifth to register its fifth consecutive victory.

With friends like the Matadors, Robinson doesn’t need enemies. Still, he didn’t seem to take things personal.

In the top of the third inning, with Northridge already up 3-1, Robinson, after taking his position in the third base coaching box, bummed a dip of tobacco from CSUN third baseman Denny Vigo.

For his part, Vigo had two hits, including his third home run. Scott Richardson added three hits, including a couple in his first two at-bats to give him six consecutive hits over two games. Mike Sims also had three hits for Northridge.

Loyola had seven hits and struck out only seven times against Kenny Kendrena (7-4), who came in averaging more than a strikeout an inning. The Lions also hit several balls hard for outs.

Shortstop Andy Hodgins and Richardson, the second baseman, made particularly dazzling defensive plays for Northridge.