California State University at Northridge
13-5
George Washington
8-5
CSUN Edged by George Washington 3-2
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
En Español
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.-
CSUN Baseball (13-5) dropped a 3-2 decision to George Washington University (8-5) on Saturday afternoon at Matador Field thanks to a pivotal three-run Colonial sixth inning. Starter Jerry Keel (2-1) pitched seven strong innings including striking out seven batters but suffered the loss in the contest.
In what proved to be a pitcher's duel for the entire afternoon, CSUN appeared to gain control of the game by scoring first to break up a scoreless tie in its half of the fifth inning by plating two runs.
Nick Blaser ignited the Matador scoring opportunity by hitting a one-out double just inside the left field line. Two batters later, the hot-hitting Chester Pak was intentionally walked giving Justin Toerner an opportunity to bring home a run with two outs.
Toerner made the Colonials pay by walking Pak, as the freshman hit a triple to right center field that scored both Blaser and Pak to give CSUN a 2-0 lead.
Keel pitched effectively all afternoon, as the left-hander retired 12 straight batters at one point in the contest. The Colonials, however, were able to rally against Keel and take the lead by stringing together a flurry of singles in the sixth.
After Keel retired Matt Consentino to start the inning, four of the next five batters reached on singles. Bobby Campbell hit a two-out, two-run single to tie the game and he would come around to score on a close play at home when Colin Gibbons-Fly also hit an RBI single. Blaser nearly threw out a sliding Campbell at home plate from left field but his throw would be a little late.
Keel struck out Brandon Chapman to end the sixth but the Colonials escaped the inning with a 3-2 lead.
The CSUN offense was unable to make up the deficit the rest of the afternoon, as 12 of the final 13 batters were retired to end the game.
"We just didn't get the offense going today," said Coach Greg Moore. "They didn't hand us anything and give us the opportunity to capitalize on mistakes but we will take this and go home, and learn from this."
The Matadors did threaten to score back in their half of the first inning, as Pak doubled to left center field to lead off the game. The senior then moved to third base on a wild pitch but was stranded at third when the next three Matadors were set down in order.
Toerner continued his streaky hitting by extending his hitting streak to 11 games with a triple in the contest. The 11-game hitting streak matches the longest hitting streak of the season by a Matador. Yusuke Akitoshi and Ryan Raslowsky each have hit safely in 11-straight in 2015.
"Toerner is doing a good job," said Coach Moore. "Even his outs are hard hit on the ground. He is above the ball consistently and that is leading to his success."
CSUN and George Washington will compete in the rubber match of the series on Sunday afternoon at Matador Field. First pitch of the series finale will be at 12 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Shane Kemp (2-1)
L: Keel, Jerry (2-1)
S: Eddie Muhl (4)
Batting:
RBI: Bobby Campbell 2 ; Colin Gibbons-Fly 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Joey Bartosic 1 ; Bobby Campbell 1 ; Eli Kashi 1
Batting:
2B: Pak, Chester 1 ; Blaser, Nick 1
3B: Toerner, Justin 1
RBI: Toerner, Justin 2
SH: Akitoshi, Yusuke 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pak, Chester 1 ; Blaser, Nick 1
HBP: Flashman, Nolan 1
