Behind Myers' Gem, Matadors Top Purdue 4-1

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

Behind two home runs and a pitching gem from Samuel Myers, CSUN Baseball (9-6) defeated Purdue, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at Matador Field. Carrying the load offensively, Justin Toerner and Kevin Riley each homered for the second-straight day as the Matadors scored all four of their runs in the second inning. Tossing a career-high 8.1 innings, Myers allowed one hit on the afternoon and struck out a career-best 10 batters.

After the Matadors pounded out 13 hits and scored a season-high 16 runs in the series opener on Friday, the Matadors would turn to their pitching to take game two. Making his fourth start of his Matador career, Myers nearly went the distance in a 113-pitch performance against the Boilermakers, surrendering a single in the contest.

"I was just waiting for the offense to score and I remember thinking one or two runs was all we need," said Myers about his mindset on the mound. "Then we put a four spot and that gave me some comfort, and I just did my thing."

After holding the Boilermakers hitless through the first two innings, Myers received early run support in the bottom of the second.

With one out, Elias Orona and Alvaro Rubalcaba each drew walks to bring up Toerner. Hitting a solo home run yesterday, Toerner went yard once again with a three-run blast to right field. Moments later, Riley followed up Toerner's homer with a two-out home run to left field to put the Matadors on top 4-0.

The four runs would be more than enough for Myers. Surrendering a single that went past the mound to begin the third, Myers would retire eight of the next nine batters.

Purdue threatened in the top of the sixth, after a hit batter and a walk brought Stephen Kalina up with one out. On an 0-1 pitch, Kalina hit the ball back to the mound, but Myers caught the liner and doubled up the runner at first to escape the jam. Benefiting from the double play in the sixth, Myers also erased potential Purdue rallies with two other double plays in the contest.

After the double play to end the sixth, Myers sat down the next seven batters as he picked up five strikeouts over that span. Myers struck out John LeGare looking to start the ninth but walked Harry Shipley, prompting head coach Greg Moore to make the move to the bullpen.

Conner O'Neil relieved Myers and retired the next batter but surrendered a two-out RBI double to Nick Dalesandro. With the tying run on the on deck circle, O'Neil rebounded by striking out Jacson McGowan looking to end the ballgame.

Although Myers was not able to complete a one-hitter against the Boilermakers, the Matadors have tossed two-hitters versus Purdue in consecutive seasons. Last season, Kenny Rosenberg threw a complete game shutout at Purdue as he scattered just two hits in the win.

Excluding the single that reached the outfield in the third, Myers did not allow a Purdue hitter to hit the ball to a Matador outfielder in the entire contest.

With an infield single in the game, Rubalcaba extended his hitting streak to eight games. In the series, Rubalcaba has picked up four hits in six at bats and he has reached base six times.

The Matadors look to clinch a series win from Purdue on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

Behind Myers' Gem, Matadors Top Purdue 4-1

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Team Stats

Justin Toerner

Kevin Riley

Fred Smith

Elias Orona

Players Mentioned

Samuel Myers

Conner O'Neil

Elias Orona

Kevin Riley

Kenny Rosenberg

Alvaro Rubalcaba

Justin Toerner