CSUN’s Batesole Gratified by Snow Fall

Cal State Northridge leads the nation in victories, but winning this nonconference game on a blustery day will stand out in the mind of Coach Mike Batesole.

“That was a beautiful victory,” Batesole said after his team had defeated Long Beach State, 7-4, Wednesday at Matador Field.

Northridge beat the 49ers, 3-2, earlier this season, and the first-year Matador coach ranks knocking off the perennial Big West Conference power twice as a highlight because he holds Long Beach Coach Dave Snow in high regard.

Batesole’s resourceful use of the Matador pitching staff was a key factor in the victory. Five pitchers combined to hold the 49ers (26-16) to five hits, and Batesole is making a habit of wearing a path to the mound.

All but one of Northridge’s 12 pitchers have made at least nine appearances, and the team has only four complete games.

Left-hander Nathan Rice (4-1), making his fourth start and 16th appearance, held Long Beach scoreless for five innings. Jesse Yeomans gave up two runs in the sixth, but Andrew Settle pitched out of the jam by striking out the only two batters he faced.

Evan Howland pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, and after he walked the bases loaded with none out in the ninth, Gary Stephenson retired three consecutive batters and earned his second save.

Northridge (38-10) exploded for six runs in the fifth on four hits. Shoddy Long Beach defense fueled the rally, which started with a run-scoring double to left by Cesar Martinez.

Long Beach right fielder Kevin Moore made consecutive misplays, backpedaling poorly on Kurt Airoso’s two-run double and dropping a sinking liner by Ryan Hurd that scored Airoso.

A throwing error by pitcher Justin Siegel led to a two-run single by Grant Hohman that capped the inning.

Northridge, in contrast, made several sparkling plays. Martinez, the second baseman, made a diving play in the first inning, Adam Kennedy made an outstanding play at shortstop and Eric Gillespie played a solid game at catcher.

Matador Notes

Despite losing his last three decisions, Northridge right-hander Robert Crabtree (11-4) leads the nation in victories. . . . Matador catcher Robert Fick, suspended for one game for allegedly bumping an umpire Sunday in Hawaii, leads the nation in hits with 82. . . . Designated hitter David Stevenson, a transfer from Long Beach State, doubled, singled and walked. . . . Northridge shortstop Adam Kennedy was hit by a pitch for the 15th time.