Loyola Has No Answer for Northridge Rally, 10-4

Cal State Northridge stranded 12 base runners and pitcher Keven Kempton struggled through the first five innings, yet the Matadors breezed to their fifth consecutive win, defeating Loyola Marymount, 10-4, Saturday in a nonconference baseball game.

Before settling down, Kempton gave up solo home runs in the third and fourth innings and allowed the Lions (3-7) to take a 4-3 lead in the fifth on singles by Collin Hinds and Greg Carl, and a two-out, two-run double by Anthony Napolitano.

“It was a learning experience,” said Kempton who made his split-fingered fastball and his slider dance and dip for five strikeouts over the last four scoreless innings while limiting Loyola to two hits during that span.

“I got stronger and stronger as the game wore on,” Kempton said. “You can’t help but win when your offense and defense are doing well.”

Although Northridge (5-0) came up empty-handed in three bases-loaded situations, eighth and ninth hitters Jason Shanahan and David Prosenko compensated with three timely hits apiece.

With his team trailing, 4-3, in the sixth inning and Joey Arnold aboard on a walk, Shanahan deposited a full-count fastball over the right-field fence to give Northridge a 5-4 lead.

“We pride ourselves on answering back,” Shanahan said.

Prosenko kept the heat on with an infield single and teammate Andy Hodgins reached first on a hit-by-pitch. Loyola third baseman Jeff Ciccarella could not handle Chris Olsen’s bunt, leaving the bases loaded.

Greg Shepard delivered a single to right to score Prosenko, and with two out Keyaan Cook was hit by a pitch to force home Hodgins with the Matadors’ seventh run.

Northridge loaded the bases for Arnold again in the eighth on an error and two walks, but Arnold hit into an inning-ending double play.

The Matadors were more productive in the ninth as Prosenko singled, Olsen hit a run-scoring blooper to left, and Shepard belted a two-run home run over the right field fence for a 10-4 advantage.

The homer was Shepard’s team-high third, putting him well ahead of last year’s pace that produced seven home runs in 53 games.

Shanahan’s three-for-five effort boosted his average to a team-high .380 and Prosenko’s three-for-four performance increased his average from a team-low .143 to .277.

Prosenko’s speed keyed two of the hits, a drag bunt down the third base line and a ground ball to the hole at shortstop. “It is good to have someone in (the No. 9) spot get on base so that when we get to the top of the order we have someone on base,” Kernen said.