California State University at Northridge
20-7, 1-1
Cal State Fullerton
13-13, 1-1
Matadors Rally to Defeat Cal State Fullerton 4-3 to Even Series
3/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
En Español
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.-
CSUN Baseball (20-7, 1-1 Big West) used a four-run sixth inning to come from behind and upend Cal State Fullerton (13-13, 1-1 Big West) by the final of 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Matador Field. Jerry Keel tossed seven strong innings, striking out seven batters, to help the Matadors snap a seven-game skid to the Titans and pick up their first win in conference play this season.
"Jerry physically got stronger as the game went along and his velocity increased," said Head Coach Greg Moore about Keel's outing against the Titans. "He has worked very hard with his conditioning and that has opened the door for him to go deeper into innings."
Coming into the matchup with the Titans on Saturday, Keel owned the last Matador victory against Fullerton occurring back in April of 2012, when the left-hander pitched a complete game for a CSUN 5-1 win.
Fullerton hit the run column first by scoring a run on Keel in the third inning. A one-out, Dustin Vaught RBI single pushed Cal State Fullerton ahead 1-0 in the early going.
Keel's counterpart on the mound, Justin Garza, last saw the Matadors in May 2014, as Garza tossed a memorable no-hitter against CSUN.
On Saturday, Garza continued to silence the CSUN bats, holding the Matadors scoreless through the first five frames. In the sixth, however, CSUN finally broke through against Garza.
With runners on first and second, Dylan Alexander hit a one-out single to left field to bring home Ryan Raslowsky with the tying run. Yusuke Akitoshi followed next with an RBI double into left field, giving CSUN its first lead at 2-1.
The Matadors scored twice more to increase their lead to 4-1 on a Nick Blaser single to left field. On the play, Alexander scored and Akitoshi would hustle home as well after a Dustin Vaught error in left field.
Fullerton cut into the lead in the eighth, scoring two runs on three hits to trim the Matador lead to 4-3.
In the ninth inning, the freshmen combination of Andrew Weston and Joe Ryan recorded the final three outs including stranding the tying run at third base to secure the 4-3 victory for the Matadors.
"Both Andrew and Joe wanted to pitch in the ninth," said Coach Moore. "Two freshman itching to get into a one-run game is exciting to see."
CSUN returns to Matador Field for the rubber match with Cal State Fullerton on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of BHEPhotos
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Keel, Jerry (4-1)
L: Justin Garza (1-2)
S: Ryan, Joe (1)
Batting:
2B: Jake Jefferies 1 ; Timmy Richards 1
RBI: Dustin Vaught 1 ; Tyler Stieb 1
SF: Tyler Stieb 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tristan Hildebrandt 1 ; Chris Hudgins 1 ; Tyler Stieb 1
SB: Davi Olmedo-Barrera 1 ; Dustin Vaught 1 ; Jake Jefferies 1 ; Scott Hurst 1 ; Timmy Richards 1
HBP: Dustin Vaught 1 ; Scott Hurst 1 ; Tyler Stieb 1
Batting:
2B: Akitoshi, Yusuke 1
RBI: Alexander, Dylan 1 ; Akitoshi, Yusuke 1 ; Blaser, Nick 1
SH: Alexander, Dylan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Raslowsky, Ryan 1 ; Orona, Elias 1 ; Alexander, Dylan 1 ; Akitoshi, Yusuke 1
SB: Akitoshi, Yusuke 1
