CSUN’s Najar Neutralizes Loyola

WESTCHESTER — You never know what a guy’s going to learn in college. Or when.

John Najar may have learned a valuable lesson about himself on Friday.

The Cal State Northridge right-hander was grousing between innings about his lack of velocity. About his spotty location. About this and that.

Not only did Najar survive, he thrived. He may have pitched the best game of his career.

Najar threw six solid innings and didn’t allow an earned run as Northridge hammered Loyola Marymount, 10-4, in a nonconference game at George Page Field.

“I guess throwing hard doesn’t really matter,” said Najar, who gave up five hits.

A hard fact: If Najar (1-0) ever had better results in his two previous years at Northridge, he was hard-pressed to name the date. In a season in which Northridge (4-0) is practically holding open auditions for spots in the pitching rotation, Najar definitely filed a claim.

This from a guy who broke a bone in his right forearm on April 9 while tossing a fastball against San Diego State.

“I always felt I was in (the rotation) plans,” said Najar, a senior from San Fernando High. “Once I get over the rustiness, I’ll be fine.”

In his first start last week, Najar wasn’t exactly a well-oiled machine. He hit three batters and gave up five earned runs in three innings.

On Friday against Loyola (2-2), again operating on an 80-pitch limit, Najar struck out five and walked one. He wasn’t the only productive Matador who spent at least part of last year on the shelf. Designated hitter Andy Shaw, sidelined all of 1994 because of a bad right knee, had three hits, including a homer.

“Maybe (Najar and I) came out today and showed what we can do,” said Shaw, a junior who drove in four runs. “I’m real happy for Johnny. He’s been through a lot.”

Loyola Marymount starter Jason Hueth went through even more. In 1 1/3 innings, Hueth (0-1) gave up eight runs and was buried by Northridge’s surprising long-ball attack.

Second baseman Grant Hohman, catcher Robert Fick and Shaw homered during a six-run second inning that gave Northridge an 8-0 lead.

Eric Gillespie, who earlier had tripled, hit a solo homer in the sixth to record his fourth multi-hit game.

Gillespie, a freshman All-American last season, is 12 for 16 and has drawn four walks.