California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2016
- Class:
- 1985
The 1985 Softball team was inducted into the CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
Led by fourth-year head coach Gary Torgeson, the Matadors compiled a 62-19 overall record and a 17-3 mark in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play, winning the conference championship. The team successfully defended its NCAA Division II title by winning the 1985 NCAA Division II National Championship, defeating Akron 2–1 in the championship game in Norhridge to capture the program's third national championship and second consecutive NCAA title.
The Matadors were built around one of the most dominant pitching staffs in Division II history. The team recorded an NCAA Division II single-season record of 45 shutouts and threw 14 no-hitters during the season. Hall of Fame p Kathy (Kat) Slaten-Ayala anchored the pitching staff and was named to the NCAA Division II All-Tournament Team following the national championship. Slaten-Ayala was named Most Valuable Pitcher, and outfielder Barbara Jordan was named Most Valuable Player.
CSUN entered the tournament as the defending national champion and advanced through the double-elimination bracket before defeating Akron in a rematch of the 1984 championship game. The victory secured Torgeson's third national championship as head coach.
Six Matadors were selected for the NCAA Division II All-Tournament Team: Slaten-Ayala, Jordan, Dee Dee Baddeley (first base), Linda Lowande (shortstop), Michele McAnany (third base), Terri Lamoree (outfield) Stacy Lim (catcher). The Matadors' performances helped establish the 1985 squad as one of the premier teams in NCAA Division II softball history.
Four CSUN players also earned All-American honors: Jordan (first-team), McAnany (first-team), Slaten-Ayala (first-team), Lim (second-team). Becky Drake, Jordan, Lim, Lowande, McAnany and Slaten -Ayala also earned All-Region honors.
