Northridge Bounces Back by Scoring 13 Against Cal Poly SLO

One day after giving up eight runs in the first inning and losing by mercy rule, Cal State Northridge posted its first victory of the baseball season by scoring seven in the first and defeating Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 13-7, on Thursday in the Arizona State tournament at Tempe, Ariz.

Against Cal Poly, sophomore catcher Jeremy Sickles was five for five and drove in five runs. The first-inning rally was keyed by a three-run double by left fielder Eric Horvat, a freshman from Hart High.

Horvat later hit a sacrifice fly.

“Coming off the 18-1 loss to Arizona, our kids answered back in a big way,” Northridge Coach Mike Batesole said.

“It was really great for them to get that first victory.”

Carey Novits, a left-hander who was 3-0 last season, went 5 1/3 innings for the victory, striking out eight and walking one.

Brad Foss earned a save by allowing one run and striking out six over 3 2/3 innings.

Darren Dyt and Nakia Hill each had two hits for Northridge and Hill scored three runs.

Matt Elam, a second baseman from Thousand Oaks High, had two hits for Cal Poly.

In a second game Thursday night, the Matadors (1-3) lost to Arizona State, 7-3.

The Matadors continue tournament play today against Florida International. Their home opener is Tuesday against Loyola Marymount.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Pepperdine 7, Utah 2--Nadine Rastetter defeated Linda Petersson, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 5 singles for the 10th-ranked Waves (3-0) in a nonconference match at Pepperdine.