CS Northridge Self-Destructs at Fresno State : College baseball: Matadors squander 3-0 lead in seventh, fall to Bulldogs, 5-3.

Bill Kernen was disappointed but philosophical after his Cal State Northridge team blew a three-run lead in a 5-3 loss to Fresno State on Friday night before 2,451 at Beiden Field.

Kernen couldn’t argue with the laws of baseball.

“The game is pretty honest that way,” he said. “You give something away, you lose.”

Northridge (26-13, 8-8 in the Western Athletic Conference) took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning against the WAC West Division leaders but gave up four runs on an error, followed by four hits.

With one out, shortstop Andy Hodgins made a throwing error on Tommy Minor’s grounder. First baseman Jason Shanahan leaped to make the catch and appeared to come down on the base before Minor reached it, but the call, like several other close calls, went the Bulldogs’ way.

“You make the (accurate) throw and you don’t give them a chance,” Kernen said. “To me, that was the whole turning point. I’ve been (to Beiden Field for) 17 or 18 games and if you give in, you get down. Inevitably, the crowd gets into it and (the Bulldogs) get a couple hits.”

The error appeared to disrupt the rhythm of right-hander Keven Kempton (7-3), who had thrown with the most velocity and sharpest control of the season up to that point.

Fresno State’s next batter, Ben Reynoso, drew a walk, and a single to center by the ninth batter, Bill Thrasher, loaded the bases.

Eric Greene delivered the most damaging blow, driving in two runs on a grounder just beyond the reach of second baseman Chris Olsen. Mike Roe followed with a single to right, and although the throw to the plate by right fielder Greg Shepard beat Thrasher and catcher Mike Sims appeared to tag him, Thrasher was ruled safe, and the score was tied, 3-3.

“You’re not gonna get calls on the road,” Kernen said. “If it’s close, you’re gonna lose out.”

Bulldog slugger Brad Dandridge drove in the winning run with a blooper that eluded Hodgins and center fielder Joey Arnold.

The Matadors had an immediate opportunity to regain the lead in the eighth when third baseman Andy Small lined a one-out single to right and took second on Sims’ hit to left. But Hodgins struck out looking and designated hitter Keyaan Cook struck out swinging.

Matador Notes

Fresno State improved to 29-13, 8-3 in the WAC. . . . Bulldog left-hander Mike Salazar (10-1) went the distance, striking out 11. . . . Andy Hodgins went three for four for Northridge. . . . Matador first baseman Jason Shanahan suffered blurred vision after a collision with Eric Greene. His status for tonight’s game is questionable.