Northridge Sets Record: 13 Homers

Cal State Northridge set an NCAA Division I record by hitting 13 home runs in a 29-3 Western Athletic Conference victory over Fresno State on Saturday at Northridge.

Consecutive homers by Adam Kennedy, Eric Gillespie and Robert Fick in the second inning began the barrage. Fick, the Matador catcher, hit three, including the team’s 11th, which tied the previous record held by six teams.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Northridge Coach Mike Batesole said. “And it will never happen again against a quality program like Fresno State.”

The home runs came against six Bulldog pitchers. Kennedy and Kurt Airoso each hit two and, in addition to Gillespie, Casey Cheshier, Grant Hohman, David Stevenson, Cesar Martinez and Ryan Hurd each hit one. Martinez’s homer broke the record and Hurd’s was the 13th.

Northridge right-hander Robert Crabtree had a no-hitter for 6 2/3 innings before a windblown pop fly by Craig da Luz was misplayed by Ryan Hurd in left field and fell for a double.

The Matadors, 19-1 overall and 5-0 in the WAC, are ranked No. 3 by Collegiate Baseball.

The loss was the worst ever for the Bulldogs (6-12, 0-2).