Matadors Drop 4-3 Contest to Fresno State in 16 Innings

Tuesday, May 5

Fresno, Calif.

6:35 pm

California State University at Northridge

27-20

Fresno State

24-25

CSUN

Fresno State

Matadors Drop 4-3 Contest to Fresno State in 16 Innings

5/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

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Fresno, Calif.-

CSUN Baseball (27-20) fell 4-3 in a 16-inning marathon to host Fresno State (24-25) on Tuesday night at Beiden Field. Conner O'Neil tossed 6.1 innings of scoreless relief, striking out eight batters, helping preserve a tie in extra innings.

In a game that took nearly six hours to complete, CSUN rallied from a one-run deficit in the ninth to force extra innings. Each team would have opportunities to cash in and score the go-ahead run but neither team could find a way to take the lead. CSUN had runners on base in six of the seven extra frames while Fresno State placed runners on in five of the seven innings.

The Matadors had a runner at third base in the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th innings but were unable to push across the go-ahead run. Fresno State loaded the bases with two outs in the 15^th but Nick Viola wiggled out of danger by retiring Jake Stone to end the frame.

Finally, in the home half of the 16^th, Korby Batesole hit a one-out RBI single off Viola to give his team a 4-3 walk-off win.

Some five hours before, the Matadors staked to an early lead in the first inning, when Yusuke Akitoshi blasted a two-run shot to put CSUN ahead 2-0.

Matador starter Joe Ryan kept the Bulldogs at bay through the first three innings before Fresno State cracked the scoring column in the fourth. A Matador miscue led to the Bulldogs trimming the advantage to 2-1.

In the sixth, Fresno State would take their first lead of the contest on a Kevin Viers two-run shot.

It appeared the one-run Bulldog lead would hold up, as CSUN was held scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings. However, the Matadors would find a way to scratch across the tying run in their final at bat.

Justin Toerner led off the ninth with a walk and would advance to second base on a Chester Pak sacrifice bunt. Moments later, Toerner hustled home on a wild pitch and a throwing error by catcher Taylor Ward.

O'Neil entered the contest in the bottom of the ninth and pitched a scoreless frame to send the game into extras. The sophomore logged the most time out of the bullpen all season long, tossing 6.1 innings in the game. At one point, O'Neil retired seven-straight batters and during his tenure on the mound, he never allowed a runner to advance to second base.

Catcher Nick Murphy assisted O'Neil by throwing out two runners attempting to steal second base in the 13^th and 14^th innings.

The Matadors continues their road stretch with a three-game set at UC Davis beginning on Friday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.

Photo Courtesy of BHEPhotos