In a Pinch, Najar Pitches Northridge Past Texas A

Cal State Northridge pitcher John Najar got into several jams against Texas A&M; on Friday--but they weren’t all of his making, and all they seemed to do was make him pitch better anyway.

Najar threw a six-hitter, allowing no earned runs, to lead the Matadors to a 4-2 victory over the Aggies in the opener of a three-game series at cold and wet Olsen Field.

Northridge bounced back from a loss to top-ranked Fullerton, improving to 11-7 with the nonconference victory. Texas A&M; dropped to 8-6-1.

Temperatures dipped into the low 40s and there was a steady drizzle, but even a stiff wind chill couldn’t cool off Najar, who improved his record to 3-1. The senior right-hander dominated an A&M; lineup that scored 50 runs in its previous five games.

Najar didn’t allow more than one hit in an inning, and the Aggies were hitless in 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position. It was the first outing in two weeks for Najar, who left his last start with a pulled groin muscle.

“I threw a lot of strikes today, and when you don’t walk many you have a chance to win,” Najar said. “I guess I was kind of laid back when they got on, and then I was able to find something extra.”

A&M; nicked Najar for two unearned runs in the third inning, taking advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Chad Thornhill. The Aggies stranded runners in each of the last seven innings, leaving the potential tying run in scoring position three times.

“His stuff was better and it was in better spots when they got runners on,” Northridge Coach Bill Kernen said. “Whenever he got in trouble, he threw his best quality pitches.”

The Matadors managed 10 hits, but didn’t have breathing room until Jonathan Campbell hit a solo homer with two out in the ninth.

Jason Shanahan had a sacrifice fly and Andy Shaw followed with a run-scoring single as Northridge scored twice in the third. Kevin Milligan added an RBI double in the fourth.

Those runs would have been plenty if Najar received much help from his defense. A&M; put two runners on in the eighth on a single and an error by Thornhill, but after a visit from Kernen, Najar retired the next two batters.