Rodriguez Wins Final Start as a Matador, CSUN Evens Series with UC Irvine

Friday, May 27

Irvine, CA

6:30 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

33-21, 0

UC Irvine

30-25, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
CSUN	0	0	0	1	3	0	4	0	0	8	7	0
UC Irvine	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	8	3

Photo by: BHEPhotos

Rodriguez Wins Final Start as a Matador, CSUN Evens Series with UC Irvine

5/27/2016 11:53:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

IRVINE, CA---

CSUN Baseball (33-21, 11-12 BWC) evened its Big West Conference series with UC Irvine (30-24, 10-13 BWC), winning 8-2 on Friday evening at Anteater Ballpark. In his final start of his collegiate career, senior Angel Rodriguez tossed seven outstanding innings, striking out five and giving up two runs en route to earning his fifth victory of the season. Justin Toerner finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI while senior Yusuke Akitoshi went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored.

"I'm not going to lie, beginning of the game I let my emotions get the better of me," said Rodriguez about his play earlier in the game. "I was thinking of the transformation that I've gone through at CSUN. Once I put that aside, I thought about the team and what the team has done for me. I just put my heart out there. I'm going to enjoy this tonight and then enjoy one last time with the team tomorrow."

The Anteaters staked to the early one-run lead in the first inning against Rodriguez. With a pair of runners on and two outs, Adam Alcantara singled through the right side to bring home Evan Cassolato. In what could have been a first and third opportunity with two outs, base runner Mitchell Holland tried to advance to third on the single but was tagged out on a pair of strong relay tosses from the Matador defense.

The throw out at third ignited Rodriguez on the mound. He stranded a pair of runners in the second inning and allowed just two base runners over the next three frames.

Held hitless through the first three innings by starter Alonzo Garcia, the Matadors picked up a pair of key singles to even the contest at 1-1 in the fourth. Toerner led off the frame with a hit through the right side of the infield. After Toerner stole second base, Branden Berry worked the count full before delivering a game-tying RBI single to center.

The Matadors continued to piece together quality at bats an inning later. Elias Orona reached on a one-out single to left and Bobby Schuman worked a walk to put runners at first and second. Moments after Fred Smith advanced both runners up a base on a grounder to the right side, Toerner put the Matadors in front with a two-run double to left center. CSUN added to its lead on a Akitoshi two-out RBI single to left to extend the lead to 4-1.

CSUN tacked on two more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on an unusual play at first base. With Schuman at first and nobody out, Smith laid down a sacrifice bunt near the plate. Catcher Matt Reitano pounced on the ball and fired to first but second baseman Cole Kretuer tripped over an umpire as he tried to cover the base. Reitano's throw sailed into right, allowing Schuman to score from first.

The Matadors went on to break the game open after the play at first base. Akitoshi drove in his second run of the game with a single up the middle to make it 6-1. Following Akitoshi's 23rd stolen base of the season and a Dylan Alexander walk, Nolan Bumstead ripped a two-out, two-run double to bring home two more runs and extend the lead to seven.

Eyeing his seventh career victory, Rodriguez would hold the Anteaters at bay for the remainder of his start. He pitched a scoreless sixth and retired the side in order in the seventh.

Already over 100 pitches, Rodriguez hit Cassolato with a pitch to start the eighth. Head coach Greg Moore made the move to the 'pen signaling the end of Rodriguez's start and career with the Matadors. Allowing only five hits on the night, Rodriguez only gave up two hits after second inning.

Andrew Weston relieved Rodriguez and recorded the final six outs to preserve the Matadors' 33rd victory of the season.

"It was like his academic college career, he got off to a rocky start but got it rolling. He did what Angel does, he goes out there and competes," said Moore about Rodriguez's outing. "His first year he was consistent as a reliever, which is a different skills set. This year, he has been very good as a starting pitcher. He's had to learn both at this level and it's been fun to watch. He's got a hunger inside of him to pitch and to compete that is above what most guys get to experience."

Rodriguez ends his Matador career, 7-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 39 appearances. With five strikeouts on Friday, he moved his career total to 103 in 129.1 innings of work.

Reaching base all four times against UCI, Schuman posted four walks to go along with two runs scored. The junior came a walk shy of tying a CSUN record for walks in a single game held by Shaun Larkin (2002), Pete Proctor (1979) and Tim Timm (1960).

CSUN wraps up the 2016 season tomorrow afternoon against UC Irvine. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.