CSUN Hosts Early Bird Classic This Weekend

Softball Notebook

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.-- For the first time since 2002, CSUN will host the Early Bird Classic this weekend.

The tournament begins Friday morning with the first of two games against Army West Point at 8 a.m. The second CSUN-Black Knights contest is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Both games will have an audio broadcast on the CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health with Brandon Marcos on the call. The broadcast will begin at 7:50 a.m.

CSUN will take on Binghamton at 8 a.m. Saturday to begin day two of the tournament. The Matador will face Santa Clara at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday to conclude that day's competition.

Sunday will see CSUN face CSU Bakersfield at 2:45p.m. to wrap up the weekend. The CSUN-CSUB game will have a Marcus audio call beginning approximately 10 minutes prior to first pitch. All games and times are subject to change so stay with GoMatadors.com for the latest information.

The complete tournament schedule is below;
Team listed first will occupy third base dugout; underlined team will be designated home team
Friday, Feb. 15
8 a.m.              CSUN vs. Army West Point
10:15 a.m.       CSUN vs. Army West Point
12:30 p.m.       Binghamton vs. CSU Bakersfield
2:45 p.m.         Binghamton vs. CSU Bakersfield

Saturday, Feb. 16
8 a.m.              CSUN vs. Binghamton
10:15 a.m.       CSU Bakersfield vs. Binghamton
12:30 p.m.       Army West Point vs. Santa Clara
2:45 p.m.         CSUN vs. Santa Clara

Sunday, Feb. 17
8 a.m.              Binghamton vs. Santa Clara
10:15 a.m.       Army West Point vs. Santa Clara
12:30 p.m.       Army West Point vs. CSU Bakersfield
2:45 p.m.         CSUN vs. CSU Bakersfield

Army West Point went 2-3 to open the season at the Mercer Invitational last weekend. Grace Mattimore went 6-for-12 with three home runs and 11 RBI during the tournament. Mattimore also posted two doubles and four walks. Her efforts resulted in being named Patriot League Player of the Week.

Jolie Doung went 2-1 with seven strikeouts in 13.2 innings last weekend. This is the first time that CSUN and Army West Point are playing softball against each other.

Binghamton opens the 2019 season this weekend at the Early Bird Classic. The Bearcats went 17-25, 9-9 in the America East Conference a year ago.

Lauren Martinez is the top returning Binghamton hitter (.284). Ryan Gibson (7-12) is the top returning Bearcats' pitcher. Binghamton was picked fifth in the preseason America East Softball poll. This is the first time that CSUN and Binghamton are playing softball against each other.

Santa Clara went 0-4 at the NorCal Challenge last weekend. Sammy Needham was 6-for-11 at the plate for the Broncos during the tournament. She drove in two runs. This is the 24th time that CSUN and Santa Clara are playing softball with the Matadors leading the all-time series 20-3.

After going 6-38 a year ago, CSUB is off to the program's best start at the Division I level as the Roadrunners went 3-1 at the NoCal Challenge last weekend.

Paige Johnson hit .417 on the weekend, driving in two runs. Kiara Azevedo recorded all four decisions last weekend, earning a 3-1 record, striking out eight in 9.1 innings. This is the 63rd time that CSUN and CSUB are playing each other with the Matadors leading the all-time series 45-17.

CSUN opened the 2019 campaign by going 1-4 at the Kajikawa Classic last week. The Matadors lost to Oregon State (8-0), No. 25 Oregon (12-5), Utah, and No. 12 Arizona State (8-2). Megan Stevens hit .400 with one home run and drove in six runs during the tournament. Jillian James went 1-2 with 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings of action in the circle.

~www.GoMatadors.com~

CSUN Hosts Early Bird Classic This Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Jillian James

Megan Stevens

California State University Northridge Athletics