California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame
Craig Clayton
- Induction:
- 1999
Craig Clayton was inducted into the CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999. Clayton lettered for the Matador baseball team from 1989 to 1991.
One of the most decorated two-way players, Clayton won 27 career games, racked up 22 complete games, and struck out 253 batters. Also a standout at the plate, Clayton hit .361 with 276 hits and 150 RBI.
A two-time All-American (ABCA Rawlings First Team - 1990, Collegiate Baseball/Baseball America First Team - 1991), Clayton was a three-time All-District VIII selection as a pitcher.Â
Clayton helped CSUN reach the NCAA Division II Championship, finishing as the national runner-up in 1990. A season later, Clayton would lead the Matadors to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in program history, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the western regional.Â
Clayton's 1991 season stands as one of the most impressive all-around seasons in school history. The two-way star led the Matadors with 106 hits and 71 runs scored at the plate while he set numerous school records on the mound including complete games (15), strikeouts (166) and wins (14). His 166 strikeouts on the year also led the nation. In addition, he established a school record for the most strikeouts in a game with 19 against U.S. International.Â
Currently, Clayton still appears on 26 different all-time career and season top-10 lists in school history. Notably, he still holds the Matador record for complete games in a season and ranks second in strikeouts in a season. On the hitting side, Clayton is third in career hits (276), fourth in career doubles (49) and tied for fourth in career runs scored (175).Â
In 1991, Clayton was drafted in the sixth round of the MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners as a third baseman. Clayton spent five seasons with Seattle and most of that time as a hitter. A career .290 hitter in the pros, Clayton would finally get his opportunity to pitch again in 1993 before making the Seattle Mariners' spring training roster in 1994.Â
He wrapped up his pro career in the San Diego Padres' organization, playing his last two seasons from 1996 to 1997.Â
Â
One of the most decorated two-way players, Clayton won 27 career games, racked up 22 complete games, and struck out 253 batters. Also a standout at the plate, Clayton hit .361 with 276 hits and 150 RBI.
A two-time All-American (ABCA Rawlings First Team - 1990, Collegiate Baseball/Baseball America First Team - 1991), Clayton was a three-time All-District VIII selection as a pitcher.Â
Clayton helped CSUN reach the NCAA Division II Championship, finishing as the national runner-up in 1990. A season later, Clayton would lead the Matadors to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in program history, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the western regional.Â
Clayton's 1991 season stands as one of the most impressive all-around seasons in school history. The two-way star led the Matadors with 106 hits and 71 runs scored at the plate while he set numerous school records on the mound including complete games (15), strikeouts (166) and wins (14). His 166 strikeouts on the year also led the nation. In addition, he established a school record for the most strikeouts in a game with 19 against U.S. International.Â
Currently, Clayton still appears on 26 different all-time career and season top-10 lists in school history. Notably, he still holds the Matador record for complete games in a season and ranks second in strikeouts in a season. On the hitting side, Clayton is third in career hits (276), fourth in career doubles (49) and tied for fourth in career runs scored (175).Â
In 1991, Clayton was drafted in the sixth round of the MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners as a third baseman. Clayton spent five seasons with Seattle and most of that time as a hitter. A career .290 hitter in the pros, Clayton would finally get his opportunity to pitch again in 1993 before making the Seattle Mariners' spring training roster in 1994. He wrapped up his pro career in the San Diego Padres' organization, playing his last two seasons from 1996 to 1997.Â
Â
Friday, February 13
Saturday, January 24
Thursday, December 11
Thursday, December 11
