Matadors Staying Afloat in Honolulu

A 17-5 victory Saturday night over Hawaii enabled Cal State Northridge to tread water in the Western Athletic Conference race by splitting four games against the Rainbows the past two days.

Two victories were enough for the Matadors (37-9, 15-5 in WAC play) to remain three games ahead of Fresno State (12-8 in the WAC) and 3 1/2 in front of San Diego State (12-9), both of whom are 1-1 in conference games this weekend.

The five-game series at Hawaii (27-18, 10-10) in front of hostile crowds of 3,000-plus each day was met with much anxiety by Northridge. The series ends today.

“We came in determined to win at least two here and now we have a chance to take three and gain ground in the conference,” Coach Mike Batesole said.

The Matador explosion came after they were held to three hits and lost, 4-0, to complete a seven-inning game that was suspended by rain in the fifth inning March 13 at Northridge.

In the victory, Robert Fick had a triple, double, single and four runs batted in, and Ryan Hurd also had three hits to pace the Matadors’ 18-hit attack. Eric Gillespie, Grant Hohman, Adam Kennedy and Kurt Airoso each had two hits.

Left-hander Benny Flores (4-0) allowed four runs in 7 2/3 innings.

On Friday, Northridge split two seven-inning games, winning the opener, 6-3, and dropping the second, 6-0--the first time the Matadors were shut out in 112 games.

In the victory, the Matadors scored six runs in the sixth inning to erase a 3-0 deficit and defeat Rainbow ace Mark Johnson, one of the nation’s top college pitchers. All six batters Johnson faced in the sixth reached base and scored.

Hohman’s bases-loaded triple tied the score, and he scored on the play when Hawaii’s right fielder bobbled the ball.

Erasmo Ramirez (9-1) allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings and Robert Crabtree pitched the seventh to record his third save.

Crabtree (11-3) started the second game Friday but lasted only four innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. Northridge managed only singles by Kennedy, Fick and Hohman against Rainbow left-hander Paul Ah Yat (8-4).