Crabtree Gives Northridge a Lift by Keeping SDSU Grounded

The question was compelling because Cal State Northridge was playing its most important game so far this season. Which Robert Crabtree would take the mound Sunday against San Diego State?

The one who raced to a nation-best 11-1 record by the end of March? Or the one who had lost four decisions in a row?

Crabtree, a senior right-hander, returned to early season form, allowing four hits and one walk en route to a 6-2 victory that kept the Matadors in sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference.

Northridge (42-13, 18-9 in WAC play) pulled two games in front of the Aztecs (31-20, 16-11) and remained one game ahead of Fresno State (31-22, 17-10), which won Sunday. Each team finishes conference play with a three-game series next weekend.

“I had one thought and that was to keep our team in the game,” Crabtree said.

The Aztecs made 17 ground-ball outs, including two double plays. Second baseman Cesar Martinez made six assists, third baseman Eric Gillespie and shortstop Adam Kennedy each made four and first baseman Grant Hohman made three.

Crabtree (12-5) struck out six and faced four batters over the minimum.

Northridge took a 3-0 lead with two runs in the second and one in the third. San Diego State scored one in the third, but the Matadors came back with three in the sixth.

A safety squeeze by Martinez scored Hohman, an infield single by Ryan Hurd scored Jose Miranda, and a ground out by Kennedy scored David Stevenson.

Stevenson, making his first appearance in the three-game series, singled three times, walked and scored two runs.