CSUN Blasts 10 Homers in Sweep of Southern Utah

A circus-like atmosphere descended on Cal State Northridge’s Matador Field on Friday afternoon.

The basepaths resembled a merry-go-round and just about everyone wearing a Matador uniform got into the act. By the time the Matador hitters had used up the last of their tokens, Northridge had folded up the tent with a doubleheader sweep of outmanned Southern Utah, 22-2 and 11-2.

“I think I was the only guy without a home run,” said Northridge catcher Mike Sims, who nevertheless went a combined six for nine with a double, triple, four runs and three runs batted in.

How bad did it get? In 16 innings, Northridge (28-7-1) totaled 34 hits, including 10 home runs, three triples and four doubles. Matador pitchers Kevin Kloek (6-1), David Eggert (6-0) and Jason Van Heerde struck out 30.

“We’re like lambs (led) to the slaughter,” said first-year Southern Utah Coach Steve Rollo, who is trying to rebuild a program without scholarship money. “If you start comparing programs, we shouldn’t be here. (But) despite a lack of funding, (Southern Utah’s administration) still want us to be Division I.”

Southern Utah (4-37) scored in the third inning of the second game to take a 1-0 lead. But on an afternoon when the wind was blowing out, the Thunderbirds picked the wrong day to tangle with the 10th-ranked Matadors, who scored eight runs in the bottom half.

In the first game, Northridge blasted eight homers to set a school record.

Greg Shockey, Scott Mowl and Mike Solar each hit two and Denny Vigo and Chris Olsen each hit one. Solar’s second homer in the eighth broke the Northridge mark of seven home runs set on two occasions.

In the second game, Northridge freshman Jason Shanahan came off the bench to hit two home runs, the first two of his collegiate career.

“I was most pleased with being able to put some guys in there and see them perform well,” Northridge Coach Bill Kernen said about his freshmen. For all intents and purposes, Northridge ended the first game in the first inning with a nine-run outburst against starter Rich Jannen (0-8) that featured seven hits, three walks and two errors. In the first inning, Shockey had a single and three-run homer. The senior outfielder was a combined five for nine and had five RBIs. Mowl, a senior designated hitter who had six RBIs in the first game, finished five for 10 with seven RBIs.

Overshadowed by the hit parade in game one was an eight-inning, six-hitter by right-hander Kloek. In command from the outset, Kloek finished with 12 strikeouts and no walks.

His only troubles were caused by Joe Blackham (four for four) and Allen Enochson (solo homer).

However, the top pitching performance of the day was turned in by left-hander Eggert, who struck out 15 in the seven-inning second game.

Eggert finished with a four-hitter and lowered his team-leading earned-run average to 1.61. It was the second time this season that a Matador pitcher had struck out 15 in seven innings. Steven Morales achieved the feat against Utah.

“From my point of view you can’t take a team like this too lightly,” Eggert said of Southern Utah, which began the day with a 16-game losing streak.

“I actually think it’s harder to play a team like this.”

With Northridge trailing, 1-0, in the third inning of game two, Shanahan came on as a pinch-hitter for the injured Vigo (bruised ankle) and ripped a solo homer to right. The blast started an eight-run inning that included run-scoring doubles by Andy Hodgins and Sims.