Arroyo Loses His Lucky Streak

Tim Arroyo’s hitting streak ended at 25 games Tuesday, when the Cal State Northridge first baseman was hitless in two at-bats in a 5-4 loss at Pepperdine.

Luck plays a role in any hitting streak and Arroyo has had his share while putting together what is believed to be the longest hitting streak in school history.

Arroyo was able to extend his streak when the Matadors batted around in a 10-run eighth inning last Friday against UC Santa Barbara. Arroyo singled in his second at-bat of the inning for his only hit.

This time, Arroyo’s luck ran out.

Arroyo, who had a walk and sacrifice fly, hit two sizzling line drives, one snared by diving second baseman Danny Garcia, the other ruled an error after a sharp hop off the glove of first baseman Jared Pitney.

Arroyo also had a sacrifice fly and walked in the eighth inning, his final plate appearance.

Because of poor record-keeping over the years at Northridge, verifying Arroyo’s streak as the Matadors’ longest is difficult. There is no record of a longer streak.

Adam Kennedy of the Anaheim Angels, Northridge’s career leader in several batting categories, including average, hits, runs batted in and home runs, had no streak that reached 20 games, according to Aaron Meier, the team’s sports information director.

“As far as I’ve been able to find, it is the longest,” Meier said. “When next year’s media guide comes out, it will be listed as the longest.”

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Arroyo’s streak would still be intact if Meier had his say.

But members of the sports information staff of the home team typically serve as official scorers.

Arroyo’s one-hopper off Pitney’s glove in the first inning was a close call that fell to Al Barba of Pepperdine, who ruled the play an error.

“I could go either way with it because it was close,” Meier said. “But if that was at Northridge, it would have been a hit.”

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J.T. Stotts tied the Northridge career record for stolen bases with his 48th Tuesday at Pepperdine.

Stotts, a junior shortstop from Hart High, tied the record set by Scott Richardson from 1990-92. Stotts has 14 steals this season.