Davidson Comes of Age Quickly With Matadors

Andy Davidson was 17 when the season began for the Cal State Northridge baseball team.

He’s 18 now, and growing up in a hurry.

During a disappointing season for the Matadors, Davidson, a freshman left-hander from Hart High, has been a bright spot.

Davidson allowed one hit and struck out six in 5 1/3 scoreless innings of relief Saturday against USC. Although Northridge (20-23) lost for the ninth time in 10 games, Davidson lowered his earned-run average to a staff-best 3.72.

Davidson had 14 strikeouts in a 7-0 victory over Temple last month. One of two freshman pitchers on the roster, Davidson has appeared in 13 games and logged 48 1/3 innings.

“I had no idea I would pitch this much,” Davidson said. “I thought I’d be sitting a lot. I just wanted to get a little experience and be ready for next year. But now, I’m in there.”

Davidson found himself in deep on Saturday against USC. Summoned to stop the bleeding during a seven-run first inning by the Trojans, he entered without throwing a pitch in the bullpen.

Davidson struck out the first batter he faced to end the inning.

“I warmed up in the bullpen between innings,” Davidson said. “I need about 30 pitches to warm up. I usually start but I like to relieve. I like to think that I can [succeed] in that situation.”

Northridge pitchers have taken their lumps lately. The Trojans scored 35 runs during a three-game sweep and scored seven runs in the first inning in two consecutive games.

But Davidson emerged unscathed.

“He’s got that sense about him that he doesn’t let a lot of stuff bother him,” said Jamie Nelson, Northridge’s pitching coach. “He throws four pitches and he mixes them up pretty good.

That’s been the secret of his success.”

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Pitcher Andrew Sanchez of Northridge, who was struck in the head by a line drive on Friday at USC, sustained a skull fracture, Northridge’s sports information office said.

Sanchez, a senior right-hander who transferred from New Mexico State in November, collapsed after being hit in the temple during a relief appearance.

He was taken by ambulance to L.A. County USC Medical Center and remained hospitalized until Monday.

Sanchez is recovering at home. He will be sidelined indefinitely.

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Northridge hitters have struggled, too. Eric Horvat and Adrian Mendoza, among the team’s best hitters, were a combined two for 26 with 16 strikeouts in three games against USC.

Mendoza stuck out five times in as many plate appearances in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday. He extended the string to eight consecutive strikeouts before being hit by a pitch in the second game. Mendoza doubled his next time at bat.

Horvat, from Hart High, had his average dip to .281 after striking out three times on Saturday.

Northridge plays at UCLA on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Coach Frozena Jerro reported no signings on Wednesday for the Northridge women’s basketball team, although she is talking with several recruits.

But with virtually every player expected to return next season, the Matadors need little tinkering.

Jerro, who led the Matadors to their first Big Sky Conference title last season after taking over as interim coach, will have the luxury of a fresh start next season.

“We’re concentrating on getting kids in here,” Jerro said. “And no one is leaving. Everyone knows the system. This is just going to be good.”