CSUN Faces Up to Reality After 6-4 Loss to San Diego

The verdict is in.

Bill Kernen wasn’t apologetic, hypercritical or hysterical. He spoke in even tones. This is just the way it is.

It took 10 games for the ever-frank Cal State Northridge baseball coach to make this incredibly somber determination:

“We are not a good team,” Kernen said. “It’s undeniable.”

After Northridge again staggered Sunday in a 6-4 nonconference loss to University of San Diego, few could argue the point.

“He tells it like it is,” said junior right-hander Rob Crabtree, who took the loss. “I wish he was wrong.”

Before sweeping Northridge, San Diego (3-1) had lost its lone game to Pt. Loma Nazarene, an NAIA school. Against Northridge, the Toreros’ unheralded pitching staff looked like the scourge of the West Coast.

In the series, Northridge (6-4) managed just 14 hits and left a mere 10 runners on base. In the finale, freshman left-hander Brian Mazone pitched 4 2/3 innings of one-hit relief to earn his first college decision.

After opening with six straight victories, Northridge showed its dark side, and Kernen isn’t sure when the skein will end.

“It’s discouraging for the players, because they’re here because of me,” he said. “But they’re not very good.”

Crabtree (2-1) surrendered six earned runs on 10 hits over 7 2/3 innings, a marked turnaround from his first two starts.

Crabtree’s trademark split-finger fastball split, all right. As in exited the yard--twice. Northridge held a 4-3 lead in the sixth when Eric Morton ripped a three-run homer to left, the second homer of the game for San Diego. Mazone retired nine of the last 10 batters.

Outfielder Josh Smaler gave Northridge a 3-0 lead in the second with a two-run homer that barely cleared the 309-foot sign at the foul pole in left. But Crabtree couldn’t hold the lead.

After the game, Kernen broke the bad news to his players. His evaluation: CSUN is average at best.