Myers' Pitching Gem Lifts CSUN to Series Win Over UC Irvine

Sunday, May 7

Irvine, CA

1:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

23-25, 0

UC Irvine

17-28, 0

CSUN

UC Irvine

Photo by: Paul Trafecanty

Myers' Pitching Gem Lifts CSUN to Series Win Over UC Irvine

5/7/2017 3:43:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

En Español

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

Senior Samuel Myers tossed eight outstanding innings, striking out eight batters while allowing one run on four hits as CSUN Baseball (23-25, 10-8 BWC) claimed a series victory over UC Irvine with a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Anteater Ballpark. William Colantono reached base twice and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. With the win, the Matadors earned their first road series victory over UC Irvine since 2003 and their first series win overall from the Anteaters in four seasons.

In a game that took less than two hours to complete, the Matadors' Myers and UC Irvine's Cole Spear engaged in a pitcher's duel with a series win at stake. Countering the eight innings pitched by Myers, Spear also hurled eight innings and allowed two runs, but only one of the runs were earned. After a back-and-forth duel, the Matadors would capitalize off a defensive miscue to take a late lead and hold on for the win.

The Matadors struck first early against Spear, scratching across a run without the benefit of a hit. Following a leadoff walk to start the game, Alvaro Rubalcaba stole second base. Fred Smith moved up Rubalcaba to third base with a ground ball to the right side, giving Dylan Alexander an opportunity to hit a sacrifice fly to put the Matadors ahead 1-0.

Myers retired the Anteaters in order in the first but UC Irvine answered back in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs and nobody on, Ryan Fitzpatrick homered to left field to even the game at 1-1.

The home run would be the only blemish on an otherwise stellar outing for Myers. After the homer, Myers sat down 13 of the next 14 batters. Throughout the day, Myers kept the Anteaters off the base paths with strong control as he surrendered no walks.

Along with his dominant work on the mound, the Matadors supplied Myers with strong defense as well. In the fourth, Alexander and Rubalcaba teamed up to erase Ryan Johnston as he attempted to steal second base. Alexander and Smith joined forces to tag out Keston Hiura trying to steal second base in the seventh and the duo of Alexander and Rubalcaba combined once more to tag out pinch runner Jake Hazard attempting to swipe second in the eighth.

On the flip side, the Matadors loaded the bases in the second inning but Spear escaped the jam after retiring Rubalcaba. From there, Spear held CSUN to a pair of hits over the next five innings.

Still a 1-1 game in the eighth, CSUN took advantage of a key UC Irvine miscue to surge into the lead. Colantono began the rally with a leadoff single to right field. After a pair of grounders moved Colantono to third base with two outs, Spear delivered a pitch to Alexander that hit off the glove of catcher Alex Guenette. As the ball trickled away from home plate, Colantono raced home with the go-ahead run.

Senior Conner O'Neil relieved Myers in the top of the ninth and sat down the Anteaters in order to nail down his seventh save of the season and the 29th of his CSUN career.

Myers finished the afternoon allowing just one batter to reach second base. Along with his strong work on the mound, Myers pitched through six innings for the eighth time in 12 starts this season.

Nolan Bumstead capped off a strong series where he hit .385 (5-for-13) with three RBI while Justin Toerner went 4-for-11 with two runs, two walks, a double and an RBI.

Alexander delivered his 11th sacrifice fly of his career, tying him for second place on the Matadors' all-time career list with Adam Kennedy (1995-97) and Chris MacMillan (1997-98).

The Matadors return home for a midweek game against CSU Bakersfield on Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the CSUN Sports Network via Big West.TV with Ross Porter on the call.