NCAA Reaches No CSUN Decision

Representatives from Cal State Northridge met Friday with NCAA officials in Indianapolis but no decision was announced regarding an investigation of the Northridge football program.

A six-member contingent including Interim President Louanne Kennedy and Athletic Director Dick Dull represented Northridge at the hearing. A university spokesman said the school was not notified Friday of any resolution.

NCAA officials have declined comment regarding the matter. The NCAA as a policy does not comment regarding ongoing investigations. The NCAA will eventually release a report of its findings, and it can impose additional sanctions to the two years’ probation proposed by Northridge officials.

Last August, the university issued a 130-page report detailing a litany of rules violations by coaches and boosters that included illegal barbecues and filing fraudulent expense reports.

Former coach Ron Ponciano was fired after the investigation and assistant head coach Rob Phenicie was forced out during the investigation.

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First place in the Big West Conference will be at stake when Northridge hosts Cal State Long Beach in a three-game softball series beginning with a doubleheader today at noon.

Northridge (21-16, 11-1 in conference play), ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division I Pacific Region, holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the 49ers (30-13, 8-1), ranked 15th nationally. The teams play Sunday at noon.

Pitcher Sarah Farnworth of Northridge leads the Big West with 34 appearances, 26 starts and 196 1/3 innings. Farnworth is fifth in the conference with a 1.79 earned-run average.

Kristi Fox of Long Beach is 17-5 with a 1.06 ERA.

Farnworth and Veronica Lopez have keyed a Northridge power surge. Both hit two home runs last weekend during a series against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The Matadors had five home runs, three in the first inning of a 9-3 victory over the Mustangs on Sunday.

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Kurt Fillmore is closing in on the oldest career mark in The Master’s College baseball record book.

Fillmore, a senior center fielder, has 123 stolen bases in his career, eight shy of the record set by Don Menez from 1979-82.

Fillmore’s 44 career doubles are two behind the mark of 46 by Aaron Penberthy from 1996-99.