Behind Early, Northridge Is Beaten, 5-0

Oklahoma State roughed up Cal State Northridge starter David Eggert for six hits and four runs in the first inning Saturday en route to a 5-0 victory over the Matadors in a second-round NCAA Midwest Regional game.

Eggert faced nine Cowboys in the first inning. Three of their six hits went for extra bases.

Northridge (38-15-1) and Minnesota (41-20) play today at 1:30 p.m. The loser goes home. And the winner faces yet another game Sunday at 5:30.

Eggert, who averaged 8 2/3 innings in his previous eight starts, is in line to get another chance to pitch, possibly today.

“I hope so,” he said. “I want to come back.”

So, too, did the Matadors against Oklahoma State, the Big Eight Conference champions. And right-hander Kevin Kloek, who started the second inning for Northridge, provided the chance.

He struck out 11 and gave up five hits over the final eight innings.

But the Matadors couldn’t put a dent in Brad Gore, the ace of the Cowboy pitching staff.

Gore (11-2) held Northridge on seven hits, striking out nine and walking one to run his record to 11-2.

The Matadors had a couple of opportunities to score, but each time Gore ended the threat with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the first inning, after Greg Shockey singled and Scott Mowl doubled, Gore struck out Mike Solar. In the sixth, with Greg Shepard on third and Solar on first with two outs, Gore struck out Andy Hodgins.

Oklahoma State (48-14) and Wichita State (54-9), both 2-0 in regional play, meet at 10:30 today with the winner advancing to Monday’s championship game. The loser faces the winner of the Northridge-Minnesota game.