Northridge Comeback Falls Short This Time

Shortstop Adam Kennedy, the Cal State Northridge catalyst, stood with hands on hips by the Matador bench, staring into space.

The Matadors had just lost to San Diego State, 5-4, Tuesday at Matador Field, and Kennedy was trying to keep his anger in check.

“Our offense had everything to do with our game,” Kennedy said. “We have people in our lineup that I don’t know what’s going through their minds when they are at the plate, and that has to change.”

Whatever it is, the San Diego State pitchers have no complaints.

Northridge (7-2-1), ranked 18th in one poll and 23rd in another, managed two hits and one run through eight innings before scoring three runs in the ninth.

The Matadors finished with four hits, three of them home runs, and struck out 11 times. They had not dipped below 11 hits in a game this season since getting five last month in a 5-3 victory over Cal State Fullerton, their opponent today at Fullerton.

Aztec Jody Stevens (1-1), who picked up for starter Chad Wanders in the fifth, struck out five and did not allow a hit during his three-inning stint.

Northridge left-hander Benny Flores (2-1) limited the Aztecs (7-2) to two hits and one run through five innings but was chased in the seventh. He gave up six hits and four runs, all earned, in 6 1/3 innings.

“He pitched well enough to win,” said Coach Mike Batesole. “He went right after them.”

The Northridge batters didn’t go after anybody until it was too late.

Second baseman Cesar Martinez tied the score, 1-1, with a blast over the left-center-field wall to lead off the fourth, but the Matadors had only two other baserunners in the next four innings.

The Matadors, who last week scored six runs in the ninth to tie UCLA, 9-9, almost came back again. With one out in the ninth, Martinez was hit by a pitch and Jose Miranda belted his team-high seventh home run to pull Northridge within 5-3.

With two out, Casey Cheshier hit a home run, but pinch-hitter Clark Parker struck out.

“It’s getting a little old to get six runs in the ninth,” said Kennedy, who went one for four. “It gets tough on our pitchers. It’s not fair to them.”