CSUN Baseball Celebrated Seniors, Ross Porter and Petros Papadakis on Sunday
5/16/2016 10:42:00 AM | Baseball
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NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- In a busy Sunday at Matador Field, CSUN Baseball celebrated its six graduating seniors, broadcaster Ross Porter and SoCal radio host Petros Papadakis during during pre-game ceremonies.Â
Senior Day:
In their final Big West Conference home game, which they won to complete their weekend sweep of UC Davis, the Matador seniors were introduced on the field before the start of the game. The seniors' fathers each threw out a first pitch to their sons before the start of the game. This year's Matador seniors include:Â
The CSUN seniors' fathers threw them a ceremonial first pitch Spencer O'Neil
Coming to CSUN from Kennewick, WA, O'Neil has played in 21 games since joining the Matadors in 2015. Proving to be a power bat in the lineup, he made an immediate impact in his first CSUN game, hitting a home run on opening day. Last season, he also hit a pinch-hit, game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning versus UC Santa Barbara in a CSUN come-from-behind victory. O'Neil finishes his career with five RBIs to go along with his two home runs. He will be earning a degree in Liberal Studies this fall.Â
 Mathew Troupe
Following a successful collegiate career with the University of Arizona, the Northridge native joined the Matadors in 2016 and has appeared in five games during the season. Despite suffering an injury at the start of the season, Matt made his way back onto the field in April in dramatic fashion. Coming into a bases loaded, one-out jam and facing the tying run at the plate against Hawai'i, Matt picked up an inning-ending double play, preserving the lead and an eventual CSUN win. On the season, he owns a 3.86 ERA and five strikeouts in over four innings on the mound. A grad student here at CSUN, Matt will earn his Master's in Recreation and Tourism Management next spring.Â
 Nick Viola
Originally hailing from Auburn, CA, Viola has become one of most reliable and consistent relievers in the Matador bullpen. His 40 career appearances are the second-most by any CSUN pitcher since 2015. He owns a career 3-2 record, a 2.27 ERA and 36 strikeouts in over 39 innings of work. After finishing last season with a 3.00 ERA and two wins in 21 innings, Viola has continued his impressive pitching this season. He is posting a team-best 1.45 ERA in over 18 innings in 2016 while recording 19 strikeouts. He will be earning a degree in Business Marketing this summer.Â
 Nolan Flashman
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Flashman has provided versatility on defense, competing in 64 games in his two-year CSUN career. Whether playing in the infield or in the outfield, he has provided production, batting .240 in his career to go along with two home runs, 19 runs scored and 10 RBI. He has also sported a career .984 fielding percentage. This season, Flashman has turned up his offensive play during Big West competition, batting a team-best .324 at the plate with two home runs and six runs batted in. This spring, he will be graduating with a degree in Psychology.Â
 Rayne Raven
A right-handed sidearm hurler from Tacoma, WA, Raven joined the Matadors in 2015 and made a quick impression in his debut. With a 16-strikeout performance against Utah Valley, Rayne earned Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week and National Player of the Week honors. He finished 2015 with a 2.18 ERA, 73 strikeouts, seven wins and one complete game. This season, he has recorded 30 strikeouts in over 36 innings while posting a 4.21 ERA in 12 appearances. Over his career, Raven has earned eight wins, struck out 103 batters and amassed a 2.78 ERA. In the CSUN record books, he currently owns the ninth-lowest earned run average in team history. Raven will be graduating with a degree in Economics this fall.Â
 Angel Rodriguez
Hailing from Winnetka, CA, Rodriguez has delivered for CSUN in his two years with the team whether starting or pitching in relief. In 2015, he appeared in 21 games, starting four as he picked up two wins, two saves and 33 strikeouts in over 47 innings. Following his standout junior campaign, Rodriguez earned a Big West Conference Honorable Mention. This season, he began 2016 as a late-inning reliever before transitioning into a Friday starter for the Matadors. He has won four games as a senior, striking out 61 batters in over 68 innings while also racking up a Big West Pitcher of the Week nod in March. Over his career, he has won six, fanned 94 batters and posted a 3.27 ERA in over 115 innings on the mound. This spring, Rodriguez will be graduating with a degree in Psychology.Â
 Branden Berry
Originally from San Diego, CA, Berry carved out a memorable collegiate career with the University of Washington before joining CSUN in 2016. In his first year with the Matadors, he has wasted little time becoming the team's top run producer. Berry hit two home runs and drove in five in his Matador debut and he continued his offensive production throughout the season. He reached base safely in 30-straight games during the year and he has sported a conference-leading nine home runs and 40 RBI to go along with a .310 batting average and .546 slugging percentage. With his 54 hits in 2016, Berry moved his collegiate career hit total to 206. Next spring, he will be earning his Master's Degree in Recreation and Tourism Management.Â
 Yusuke Akitoshi
A native of Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan, Akitoshi has been a key member of the Matador lineup over the past two seasons. While also making flashy plays at the shortstop position, he led the team in several offensive categories last season with his 60 hits, 12 stolen bases, 11 doubles, 32 RBI and a .367 on-base percentage. As a senior, he has been the team's most consistent offensive weapon, batting .298 with 36 runs scored, 19 RBI and a conference-best 21 stolen bases. In just a two-year career, Yusuke is eighth in school history with 17 sacrifice hits and tied for ninth with seven triples. He is boasting a .291 career batting average, five home runs, 51 RBI, 47 walks and 32 stolen bases. This summer, Akitoshi will be earning his degree in Psychology.Â
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Ross Porter:
Before his final CSUN Sports Network broadcast of the year, CSUN Baseball Broadcaster Ross Porter was honored on the field during pre-game ceremonies. Porter was presented with a personalized jersey by Head Coach Greg Moore and thanked for his service this season.
Porter's wife and grandson were on hand for the game as well, and before running up to the press box to start the broadcast, Porter also wished Papadakis luck on his first pitch.
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Head Coach Greg Moore presents Ross Porter with a personalized jersey
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Petros Papadakis:
Returning to Matador Field for the second time in two weeks because of a rainout, AM 570 Radio Host Petros Papadakis threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game. After weeks of practice and advice from major leaguers and baseball experts including Porter and Orel Hershiser, Papadakis threw from the mound and just high of the strike zone for a successful pitch.Â
Following pre-game ceremonies, Papadakis spent several innings watching the game from the stands and then joined Porter on the CSUN Sports Network broadcast for upwards of half an hour.
"Being able to do it and having the ball not bounce was huge for me personally," Papadakis said. "They'll probably find a lot of things to make fun of like my throwing motion, my mannerisms, the way I walked onto the mound, my 'El Duque' leg kick, all of those things will be scrutinized. But its important I went out there and faced my fears to honor the great Ross Porter and, of course all of CSUN, one of my favorite places. I love the Valley."
