Matadors Swept at Longball

Playing longball made for a long day for the Cal State Northridge baseball team.

The host Matadors blasted six home runs in a nonconference doubleheader against Southern Utah, but the Thunderbirds countered with five to win, 11-7 and 12-10, Saturday afternoon.

The teams took advantage of Matador Field’s cozy dimensions--325 feet to left and right fields, 400 to center--but Southern Utah (4-5) used timely hits in each game to rally for the victories.

“It’s the same for both teams,” Northridge Coach Mike Batesole said. “It’s something that we deal with every day.

“But every park has its quirks. The good teams find ways to take advantage of them.”

Southern Utah’s Brian Kruse and Tyler Peterson homered once in each game. Kruse’s drives keyed both Thunderbird comebacks. He had four hits and six runs batted in.

In the second game, Kruse homered in the first inning and singled home a run that tied the score, 10-10, in the sixth. The Thunderbirds (4-5) scored their last two runs on the same play, on a two-base error by left fielder Jason Gorman.

The Matadors (5-4) had runners on first and second with two out in the sixth, but left them stranded. The game was called at that point because of darkness.

Kruse’s two-out, three-run homer in the fifth inning of the first game pulled Southern Utah ahead, 6-4.

Adrian Mendoza, Eric Horvat and Tim Arroyo homered for Northridge in the opener. Teammates Danny Phillips, Jeremy Sickles and Jason Gorman homered in the second game.