Northridge Benefits from Expansion

Benefiting from the NCAA’s expansion of the regional playoff format, Cal State Northridge received its eighth consecutive postseason berth despite having its worst record since moving up to Division I in 1991.

The NCAA expanded the field from 32 to 48 teams, with the eight regional winners advancing to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City on May 27-31.

Northridge (29-22) will face Missouri (38-19) at 10 a.m. Thursday in a regional opener at UCLA.

BASKETBALL

* Bob Chevalier, boys’ basketball coach at L.A. Baptist High for the last three seasons, has resigned and will be replaced by Maury Neville, who is coming out of retirement after leaving the game three years ago.

Neville was the Knights’ coach for 19 years until he turned over the program to Chevalier, who guided L.A. Baptist to an Alpha League championship in 1996-97 and three playoff berths.

BASEBALL

* Former Alemany outfielder Bill Scott, a sophomore at UCLA, led the Pacific 10 Conference with 25 home runs, marking the fourth consecutive season a Bruin has been Pac-10 home run champion.

SOCCER

* Jeff Soll of El Camino Real High, the City Section player of the year last season, has committed to UC San Diego. Soll led the Conquistadores to the City title.

VOLLEYBALL

* Poly middle blocker Billy Cuevas and Grant outside hitter Ryan Diaz were selected East Valley League co-players of the year.