Matadors Drop Series Finale to Portland, 7-3

Saturday, March 26

Portland, OR

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

20-5

Portland

13-11

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
CSUN	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	3	9	1
Portland	3	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	X	7	11	2

Photo by: CSUN Athletics

Matadors Drop Series Finale to Portland, 7-3

3/26/2016 4:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

En Español

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

CSUN Baseball (20-5) fell in its series finale to the Portland Pilots on Saturday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. Seven Matadors combined to record nine hits including Albee Weiss who blasted a solo home run but two three-run Portland frames early in the game proved to be too much to overcome.

After the Matadors held the Pilots to two runs over the last 24 innings in the series, the Portland lineup broke out in the series finale. Portland jumped out to the early lead right off the bat, scoring three runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning. Caleb Whalen, Cooper Hummel and Ryan Barr each recorded RBI doubles to put the Pilots ahead 3-0.

Two innings later, the Pilots added to their lead with yet another three-run frame. After the first two hitters reached to start the inning, Hummel singled to left to make it 4-0. The Pilots kept the pressure on with two more RBI singles from Barr and Kevin Wade moments later, giving Portland a six-run edge.

Meanwhile, the CSUN bats were quieted in the early going as the Matadors were held to two hits through the first three innings. Also, the Matadors had a tough time bringing in runs against stingy Portland pitching. CSUN stranded three base runners combined in the first four innings until finally breaking through in the fifth.

CSUN loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning after back-to-back two-out singles from Fred Smith and Yusuke Akitoshi. With Branden Berry at the dish, starter Kevin Baker delivered a wild pitch, which allowed a run to come in and score.

CSUN looked for more in the fifth as Berry walked to load the bases again but Pilot reliever Alex Fisher escaped the jam after Nolan Bumstead grounded out.

Portland would go up 6-1 on a RBI double from Wade in the bottom of the fifth but CSUN answered right back with a run of its own in the sixth. Weiss checked in with his sixth home run of the season with a shot to left field to bring the Matadors to within four.

CSUN's bullpen held the Pilots at bay after the fifth inning. Ray Diaz cooled off Portland with 1.1 shutout innings while Nick Viola and Matt Campbell each pitched scoreless frames.

Despite runners reaching base safely in eight of nine innings, the Matadors were unable to capitalize in several frames. CSUN left 11 runners on base in the contest including eight over the last five innings.

In the top of the ninth, CSUN mounted one final rally to get back into the game. After Derek Molina walked to start the inning, Akitoshi connected on a one-out single to right field. Next, the Matadors caught a break on a grounder from Berry that Eric Sapp could not handle at third base, which loaded the bases. Bumstead stepped to the plate and hit a grounder to third that scored Molina to cut the lead to 7-3. Unfortunately for the Matadors, the Pilots would shut the door in the ninth as Justin Toerner flied out to end the game.

Akitoshi led the way for CSUN with three hits on the afternoon, giving him six hits in the series with three runs scored. Berry also enjoyed a strong weekend, as he hit .353 in the four games while totaling three doubles and two runs batted in.

The Matadors next set their sights on the start of Big West Conference play. CSUN travels to take on Cal State Fullerton for the start of a three-game series on Friday night. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.