San Diego State Claims WAC Lead With Fanfare

Momma told them there would be days like this, but the Cal State Northridge Matadors played a game Friday not even their mothers could love.

San Diego State took over first place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 12-4 trouncing of its hosts at Matador Field.

Fifteen Matadors struck out, the Aztecs led from the first inning on and Northridge fans--including several mothers--were reduced to ragging the umpire every time another Northridge player took strike three.

Northridge (22-6, 6-2 in WAC play) has dropped five of eight since setting an NCAA record with 13 home runs in a 29-3 victory over Fresno State two weeks ago.

The Matadors are nearing the end of a brutal stretch of playing 13 games in 17 days, all against quality opponents.

“When you play this many games against top Division I competition, your record will resemble more of a pro record than a high school record,” Coach Mike Batesole said. “We will take our lumps.”

In the opener of a three-game series against the Aztecs (18-8, 6-1), Batesole gambled with left-hander Erasmo Ramirez, pitching him with only two days of rest.

Ramirez (5-1) took his first loss, allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings, including two-run home runs by Travis Lee in the first and Andy Bevins in the fourth.

Relievers Evan Howland, Nathan Rice and Juan Velazquez also were touched for runs.

Meanwhile, the Matadors generated little offense against Aztecs starter Bill Scott and relievers Greg Winkelman and Jody Stevens.

Scott (3-1), a sophomore right-hander, struck out 11 in six innings, causing Northridge fits with a nasty split-finger pitch.

“That’s the best pitcher I’ve faced this season,” said Eric Gillespie, the only Northridge batter to solve Scott.

Gillespie singled sharply in the first and hit a three-run home run in the fifth to cap a four-run rally that made the score 8-4.

Winkelman, a left-hander, retired four left-handed batters in a row in the seventh and eighth before giving way to Stevens, who struck out four of the five he faced.

Northridge catcher Robert Fick singled in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 21 games.

Batesole said he was unsure if Robert Crabtree (8-1) will start today on two days of rest or be held out until Sunday’s game.