Northridge Batters Chapman in 16-6 Win

In completing a sweep of Chapman on Sunday with a 16-6 triumph, the Cal State Northridge baseball team met Coach Bill Kernen’s objectives: regain offensive consistency while keeping starter John Bushart fresh.

In their fifth consecutive win, the Matadors (26-11) racked up double figures in runs and hits (22) for the fourth straight game and Bushart (8-2) was able to leave after five innings and 76 pitches with a 12-3 lead.

Chapman (18-24), a Division I independent, did not offer the caliber of pitching the Matadors faced during a recent tailspin in which they lost seven of 10 games. But the three-game sweep over the Panthers gives Northridge momentum going into Tuesday’s game at NCAA defending champion Pepperdine and its weekend series at Western Athletic Conference West leader Fresno State.

First baseman/pitcher Jason Shanahan, who relieved Bushart, provided the most dramatic offensive turnaround. With a four-for-five effort Sunday, he raised his average to .284. A week ago, he was batting .233.

In sessions with Kernen, Shanahan revamped his swing. “I take pride in my personal work habits,” Shanahan said. “Ups and downs are unpreventable in baseball, but the harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Second baseman Chris Olsen also is on a tear. Since moving from sixth to second in the order, he is 10 for 14 and has raised his average to .328. Like Shanahan and Olsen, designated hitter Keyaan Cook had four hits Sunday, raising his average to a season-high .321.

Matador Notes

The swollen left hand that has kept David Prosenko out of the lineup the last two games was self-inflicted. In a fit of anger, Prosenko punched the wall in the dugout after popping out Friday in an 11-4 win over Chapman. “I had a fight with the clubhouse and lost,” said Prosenko sheepishly. “It was a stupid move and I have to pay for it.”. . . . Andy Small’s home run in the third is his third homer in three games--the second time this season he has hit three homers in three straight games.