Senior Class Ends Remarkable Collegiate Careers with CSUN Baseball

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

Last Saturday's season finale marked not only the end of the 2016 campaign but also the conclusion of the collegiate careers for CSUN Baseball's senior class. Yusuke Akitoshi, Branden Berry, Nolan Flashman, Angel Rodriguez, Rayne Raven, Nick Viola, Mathew Troupe and Spencer O'Neil were all instrumental in helping the Matadors earn 66 victories over the last two seasons including 40 wins at Matador Field. From a standout and dynamic shortstop to power threats in the middle of the order, and to reliable and consistent pitchers on the mound, the class was filled with a diverse group of student-athletes that made significant impacts on the field throughout their time with CSUN Baseball.

"Our senior class is one of the most unique of the country," said head coach Greg Moore. "If you just take the group of seniors there has been about 23 separate stops for them. They've been to different schools from junior colleges to other Division I, which is about an average of three per person. We have a diverse group of minds and experience."

Since 2015, the native of Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan, Akitoshi has been mainstay at the shortstop position since transferring from Skagit Valley College to CSUN. Akitoshi has competed in every Matador game over the last two seasons, starting all but five games at shortstop. A gifted defender, Akitoshi has often made difficult plays look easy, showcasing a powerful arm and outstanding range across the infield.

At the plate, he has been one of most consistent offensive threats. Last season, Akitoshi led the Matadors in several offensive categories including hits (60), RBI (32), walks (25), stolen bases (12), doubles (11) and on-base percentage (.367). As a senior, Akitoshi's production did not waver, batting anywhere from second, third or fourth in the lineup, he concluded the year first in runs (38) and stolen bases (23), as he batted .290 with 22 RBI, 24 walks, 11 doubles and .385 on-base percentage. Akitoshi also moved into seventh in school history with his 18 career sacrifice hits and into ninth with seven triples. In two years with the team, Akitoshi ended his career with a .290 average with five home runs, 54 RBI and 70 runs scored.

A Psychology major, Akitoshi will be earning his degree this summer and is hopeful to keep playing baseball in the United States. "I want to play professional (baseball)," said Akitoshi about his graduation plans. "If it doesn't work out then I think I'm going to go back to Japan and get a job where I can use both the English and Japanese languages. Maybe I could be a psychologist to be able to help players mentally with the game."

Hailing from Winnetka, CA, Rodriguez transferred from Glendale Community College in 2015 and made an immediate impact on the mound whether starting or pitching in relief. In his first season with team, Rodriguez appeared in 21 games, starting four as he picked up two wins, two saves and 33 strikeouts in over 47 innings while sporting a 3.04 ERA. For his efforts, Rodriguez earned a Big West Conference Honorable Mention as he posted a 2.76 ERA in conference play. This season, Rodriguez showed his versatility, making the transition as a late-inning reliever at the early portion of the year into a Friday starter, anchoring the rotation over the final two months of the season. He picked up five victories as a senior, striking out 70 batters in 82 innings to go along with nine quality starts. Rodriguez earned a Big West Pitcher of the Week honor after striking out a career-high 12 at George Mason in March.

Rodriguez's time with CSUN came full circle when he earned his Psychology degree in May. After beginning his academic career with CSUN, Rodriguez transferred out because of low grades only to return back to the school in 2015. "That's life," said Rodriguez looking back at his time with CSUN. "There are times when you are going to trip up but you have to dust yourself off and continue on. For myself, I had to finish what I started. I'm very happy to say I'm came here and I graduated. It's a phenomenal feeling to know that I finished what I started."

With aspirations of becoming a firefighter some day, Rodriguez is ready for a new challenge after CSUN. "With firefighting you create a family dynamic," added the CSUN graduate. "Whatever area you are in you have one common goal and that is to save lives and put fires out."

A career .275 hitter over three seasons with the University of Washington, Berry posted career-highs this season in batting average (.294), runs scored (31), doubles (13), home runs (9), RBI (44), walks (22) and on-base percentage (.403). Transferring to CSUN to play out his final year of eligibility, Berry produced day in and day out. Berry hit two home runs and drove in five RBI on opening day and he continued to produce for CSUN throughout the season. In addition to being one of the top hitters on the team, he was one of the top run producers in the Big West as well. He concluded the regular season tied for the conference lead in home runs while also finishing second in RBI. The San Diego native wrapped up his college career with 210 hits, 20 home runs, 126 RBI and a .280 batting average.

One of two graduate students on the team, Berry also provided leadership with his work ethic. "I just came right in and acted like I'd been here for four years," said Berry about his ability to fit in with the team. "I think I did a pretty good job of that. I know I lead by example and I feel like that's what I did. There's a certain amount of work you put in and guys notice it. I was here to work and I was here to win, and I think I left a good impression."

Berry is on target to earn his Master's Degree in Recreation and Tourism Management next spring and he has aspirations of playing baseball at a professional level. "Of course I want to play baseball as long as I can and that's my number one priority but my complete 100 percent goal is to come back here and finish the graduate program. It's going to open up so many doors for me."

A durable and dependable arm over the past two years in the bullpen, Viola appeared in the second-most games for the Matadors since 2015. Originally hailing from Auburn, CA, the sidearm right-hander made it a habit of coming through in a variety of situations. Whether coming into a game to face a single batter, pitching in long relief or entering in a bases loaded jam, Viola produced time after time.

Appearing in 22 games last season, Viola posted a 2-2 record, a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings while striking out 17. This season, he continued his consistent pitching with a 2.11 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21 appearances across 21.1 innings. "For myself, I have a strong bond with this team that's when I'm out there, I wanted to get it done for everybody else," said Viola about ability to come in as a situational reliever.

A Business Marketing major, Viola will be earning his degree this fall. "I have lots of plans after I graduate," added Viola. "I'm going to get my master's and then I'm going to go to law school. Once I finish law school, I'm going to try to become a sports agent and help the future of young athletes get to where they want to go."

Along with Viola, Flashman provided the Matadors with versatility on defense since transferring from Long Beach City College in 2015. Flashman competed in 70 contests and contributed in a multitude of ways. Whether coming off the bench late in games on defense, pinch-hitting or starting for the Matadors, Flashman produced. Following a junior season where he batted .236 with nine runs scored and four RBI in 41 games, Flashman drove in six runs with two home runs and two doubles to go along with a .226 batting average in 2016. Despite battling several injuries during the season, Flashman started his final game as a Matador in the season finale against UC Irvine, delivering a hit while scoring once.

Originally hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Flashman earned his degree in Psychology in May. "I took a Psychology class in junior college and I loved it," said Flashman. "I always wanted to do something where I could help people. Right now the plan is go into marriage and family therapy or to go into sports psychology. If I could do the two that would be ideal."

Another sidearmer on the Matador staff, Raven completed a successful two-year career with the team. After transferring from Western Nevada College, Raven began his CSUN career with a tremendous seven-inning, 16-strikeout performance against Utah Valley, which earned him a Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week and National Player of the Week honors. Becoming the first Matador to strikeout out 16 in 12 seasons, Raven pitched effectively all season long for CSUN. Posting a 2.18 ERA and 73 strikeouts, Raven led the team in victories with seven in over 86 innings of work in 2015.

As a senior, the Tacoma, WA, native took the ball on opening day for the Matadors. Used as a starter and reliever in 2016, Raven tossed over 40 innings on the mound, striking out 31 batters while compiling a 4.02 ERA. He also ended the campaign showcasing his ability at the plate. In the last two weeks of the season, Raven picked up two hits in six at bats to go along with two runs scored. With a career ERA of 2.76, Raven finished in ninth place all-time in CSUN history in career earned run average.

Graduating with a degree in Economics this fall, Raven is exploring his next steps following the season. "I have a few plans," said a reflective Raven. "I could go overseas, which would make me put off school but what I think I'm going to do is come back here in the fall and finish up my degree. I can train while I'm here and then I could have the opportunity to [play oversees] after."

A right-hander with a wealth of experience, Troupe joined the Matadors in 2016 after a prolific career with the University of Arizona. Helping the Wildcats to a National Championship in 2012, Troupe was limited to four games over the 2014 and 2015 seasons due to injuries. In 2016, Troupe suffered another injury in the season opener. Despite the setback in his first season with CSUN, Troupe 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, Troupe picked up an inning-ending double play, preserving the lead and an eventual CSUN win.

On the season, he owned a 4.05 ERA and eight strikeouts in over six innings on the mound. He ended the season in style, retiring the only batter he faced, punctuating a career where he tossed 85 innings, won 12 games and struck out 107 batters.

A grad student at CSUN, Troupe will earn his Master's in Recreation and Tourism Management next spring. "I have always wanted to be in the front office working with baseball," said Troupe about his plans after CSUN. "I dream of being a General Manager."

The final senior in the class, the power-hitting O'Neil missed the entire 2016 campaign due to injury. Although he wasn't able to make it on to the field this season, O'Neil still left an impression during his time with the team. Playing in 21 games in 2015, O'Neil hit two home runs, both which in key situations. He belted his first homer on opening day in a CSUN victory and he recorded a pinch-hit, game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning versus nationally-ranked UC Santa Barbara in a Matador victory later in the year. O'Neil finished his career with five RBI to go along with six runs scored and three walks.

Unable to play this season, the Kennewick, WA, native switched his focus to his studies this season and as a result he will earning his degree in Liberal Studies this fall.

Looking back at their careers with the Matadors, the senior class remembers most of all the time spent with the team more than anything that was accomplished on the field.

"Coming from a junior college, I didn't know what to expect but over the past two years, I built a lot of good relationships," said Raven. "All the fun conditioning stuff that we did, running around campus and around Northridge. The stuff that we did that people don't see, that's the most memorable thing to me."

"It's another family for me," said Flashman about his teammates. "From being on three different teams at different schools, this was the perfect place to end my college career."

"Looking back at the journey, I have enjoyed every second of it," said Berry. "I wouldn't change it for the world. I never envisioned myself here but I'm so thankful that I did because of the people here and the teammates that I have been able to play with. I have been able to develop friendships that are going to last a lifetime."

Senior Class Ends Remarkable Collegiate Careers with CSUN Baseball

Players Mentioned

Yusuke Akitoshi

Branden Berry

Nolan Flashman

Spencer O'Neil

Rayne Raven

Angel Rodriguez

Mathew Troupe

Nick Viola

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