Northridge Ace Expected to Leave Early

Left-hander John Bushart, ace of the Cal State Northridge staff, probably will turn pro after the amateur draft in June.

Northridge Coach Bill Kernen is trying to recruit a left-handed pitcher in the event Bushart leaves a year early. “I think he’ll be gone,” Kernen said. “I think he’ll be drafted pretty high.”

Bushart (7-2, 2.47 earned-run average), a 6-foot-5 junior from Thousand Oaks High, has struck out 48 batters and walked 23.

“If the opportunity is right, I will (turn pro),” Bushart said. “That is my goal as I’m sure it is a lot of players on this team. My education is important, though. I will let (pro teams) know that I want to come back and finish.”