Friday, February 14
Northridge, Calif.
2:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
vs
San Francisco
Photo by: Paul Trafecanty
CSUN Baseball Opens 62nd Season with Four-Game Homestand
2/13/2020 1:45:00 PM | Baseball
FULL GAME NOTES
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Baseball kicks off its 62nd season on Friday afternoon at Matador Field. The Matadors' open a three-game series with San Francisco on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. The series continues on Saturday and concludes on Sunday with start times set for 1 p.m. each day. CSUN wraps up a four-game homestand on Monday afternoon against Washington State at 2 p.m. Ross Porter is on the call for all four games in audio broadcasts at GoMatadors.com/Radio. Monday's game will also be streamed live on the CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health through BigWest.TV.
Probable Pitching Match-Ups
San Francisco at CSUN - Matador Field - Feb. 14-16
RHP Riley Ornido (6-6, 4.13 ERA) vs. RHP Blake Sodersten (2-3, 4.72 ERA)
LHP Grant Young (2-2, 7.17 ERA) vs. RHP Blaine Traxel (1-3, 3.64 ERA)
RHP Landen Bourassa (0-0, 8.10 ERA) vs. RHP Daniel Vasquez (0-0, 13.50 ERA)
Washington State at CSUN - Matador Field - Feb. 17
TBA vs. Gavin Lizik (N/A)
The 2020 season represents a new era of Matador baseball with the arrival of first-year head coach Dave Serrano who brings with him a wealth of experience and success in the Big West Conference. Serrano is one of 12 head coaches in Division I baseball history to lead two different programs to the College World Series. Serrano took UC Irvine to the postseason twice highlighted by a College World Series trip in 2007 and he led Cal State Fullerton four times, capped by another College World Series appearance in 2009. Along with Serrano, assistant coaches Neil Walton and Eddie Cornejo have also enjoyed success in the Big West, helping lead UC Santa Barbara to the College World Series in 2016. As a trio, the group has reached the postseason 27 times as either a player or coach.
After finishing tied for fifth in the Big West last season, the Matadors were selected to post a seventh-place finish in the conference by the head coaches around the league on Jan. 29. CSUN earned 32 points in the annual preseason poll. Seeking to win its first conference crown since 2002, the Matadors sport a mixture of returning talent and newcomers this season.
"We are all very excited to get our season going and finally get to play someone in a different color uniform," said Serrano. "From day one this coaching staff has worked very hard to make improvements in all areas and continue to make this team and program better. We will get a chance to find out what areas need work by playing other teams."
A total of 18 letterwinners are on this season's roster including six starting position players who started 40 or more games in 2019. The pitching staff boasts seven returning hurlers as well as a pair of two-way players.
Behind the plate, All-Big West Second Team selection Sean Skelly returns for his senior campaign. Skelly served as the team's everyday catcher for most of last season and led the team in on-base percentage (.432), walks (33) and home runs (7) while he batted .288 with 31 runs and 21 RBI. He committed just two errors behind the plate in 50 games.
In the infield, junior Brandon Bohning is expected to move over to third base this season. Bohning tied Skelly for the team lead in home runs and posted new career highs in homers, RBI (29) and stolen bases (13) last season. In the outfield, the trio of senior Blake Doremus and sophomores Andrew Lucas and Denzel Clarke have all returned in 2020. Doremus appeared in 33 games last season and batted .266 with 21 RBI and a .506 slugging percentage. Lucas batted .268 in his freshman season to go with 51 hits, 30 RBI, 28 runs and five home runs. Clarke batted .243 with 35 hits, 25 runs, 19 RBI and five home runs in 2019.
On the mound, the Matadors boast one returning weekend starter along with several familiar faces in the bullpen. Sophomore right hander Blake Sodersten has moved into the Friday pitching role this season after posting a 2-3 record, 4.72 ERA and 50 strikeouts last season. Making the transition into the starting rotation, sophomore Blaine Traxel set a new freshman record for appearances with 32 while he registered a 3.64 ERA and 48 strikeouts. An All-Big West Honorable Mention, junior Blake Schriever also has returned a season removed from recording nine saves, 55 strikeouts and a 3.21 ERA in a closing role.
Senior two-way player Jayson Newman has returned for his fifth year with the Matadors. Newman enjoyed what was his best start to his career in 2019 before suffering a season-ending injury. He batted .404 with 19 hits, 15 RBI and two home runs in 14 games. He also made three appearances out of the bullpen and struck out four in 3.1 innings.
The team features 16 newcomers on the roster including 10 transfers. Graduate right hander Daniel Vasquez joins the Matadors after spending four seasons at the University of Tennessee. Juniors Jason Ajamian (LA Valley College), Carlos Arellano (Arizona Western College), Cole Coffey (Chabot College), Gabe Gonzalez (LA Mission College), Kai Moody (Cabrillo College) and Dalton Vanhille (Ohlone College) will all bring collegiate experience in their first seasons with the team. On the mound, Elijah Garcia (Sierra College) and Chad Wilson (Santa Ana College) are also junior transfers that join the pitching staff.
Six true freshmen have also been added to the team this season, which include right handers Gavin Lizik (Esperanza High School), Chris Paruleski (Helix High School) and Chase Hennessey (Marina High School), infielders Chad Call (Capistrano Valley High School) and Mason Le (Culver City High School) and catcher Anthony Gibbons (Yucaipa High School).
In a series dating back to 1996, CSUN leads the all-time series with San Francisco 15-4. The Matadors are also 8-1 in games played at Matadors Field. The Dons took two of three in San Francisco last season, winning the last two games. CSUN has not hosted USF since the 2002 season when they swept a three-game series.
Washington State leads CSUN 20-14 in the all-time series, which dates back to 1995. The Matadors are 8-10 at Matador Field against the Cougars. WSU won two of three at home last season and have won five of the last seven in the series, which have all been played in Pullman. The Cougars are making their first trip to Matador Field since 2014 when CSUN won three of four games.
A Closer Look at San Francisco
The Dons went 30-26 last season and 15-12 in the West Coast Conference as they just missed out on a WCC Tournament berth. The team has returned 20 letterwinners from 2019 including seven position starters and three starting pitchers. USF was picked to finish sixth in the WCC preseason coaches poll.
Three Dons were named to the All-WCC Preseason team, which include senior right hander Riley Ornido, senior outfielder Tyler Villaroman and junior infielder Jack Winkler. Ornido went 6-6 with a 4.13 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 80.2 innings. Villaroman led the team with 21 stolen bases while he batted .285 with 18 RBI, 35 runs and 55 hits. Winkler racked up team-highs in runs (49), hits (68) and doubles (17) to go with six home runs and 38 RBI.
A Closer Look at Washington State
The Cougars finished 11-42-1 overall and 3-26-1 in the Pac-12 last season. The team is under the direction of first-year head coach Brian Green. Washington State features 17 letterwinners on this season's roster. The Cougars were picked to finish 11th in the Pac-12 this season.
The team's top returning hitter, junior outfielder Collin Montez, batted .286 with four home runs, 12 doubles, 19 RBI and 31 runs scored. Sophomore infielder Kyle Manzardo also batted .272 with 31 RBI and 26 runs scored. Senior left-hander A.J. Block (0-8, 6.06 ERA) has returned to the team after being selected in the 17th round of the MLB Draft last year.Â
#UniteTheValley
Â
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Baseball kicks off its 62nd season on Friday afternoon at Matador Field. The Matadors' open a three-game series with San Francisco on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. The series continues on Saturday and concludes on Sunday with start times set for 1 p.m. each day. CSUN wraps up a four-game homestand on Monday afternoon against Washington State at 2 p.m. Ross Porter is on the call for all four games in audio broadcasts at GoMatadors.com/Radio. Monday's game will also be streamed live on the CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health through BigWest.TV.
Probable Pitching Match-Ups
San Francisco at CSUN - Matador Field - Feb. 14-16
RHP Riley Ornido (6-6, 4.13 ERA) vs. RHP Blake Sodersten (2-3, 4.72 ERA)
LHP Grant Young (2-2, 7.17 ERA) vs. RHP Blaine Traxel (1-3, 3.64 ERA)
RHP Landen Bourassa (0-0, 8.10 ERA) vs. RHP Daniel Vasquez (0-0, 13.50 ERA)
Washington State at CSUN - Matador Field - Feb. 17
TBA vs. Gavin Lizik (N/A)
The 2020 season represents a new era of Matador baseball with the arrival of first-year head coach Dave Serrano who brings with him a wealth of experience and success in the Big West Conference. Serrano is one of 12 head coaches in Division I baseball history to lead two different programs to the College World Series. Serrano took UC Irvine to the postseason twice highlighted by a College World Series trip in 2007 and he led Cal State Fullerton four times, capped by another College World Series appearance in 2009. Along with Serrano, assistant coaches Neil Walton and Eddie Cornejo have also enjoyed success in the Big West, helping lead UC Santa Barbara to the College World Series in 2016. As a trio, the group has reached the postseason 27 times as either a player or coach.
After finishing tied for fifth in the Big West last season, the Matadors were selected to post a seventh-place finish in the conference by the head coaches around the league on Jan. 29. CSUN earned 32 points in the annual preseason poll. Seeking to win its first conference crown since 2002, the Matadors sport a mixture of returning talent and newcomers this season.
"We are all very excited to get our season going and finally get to play someone in a different color uniform," said Serrano. "From day one this coaching staff has worked very hard to make improvements in all areas and continue to make this team and program better. We will get a chance to find out what areas need work by playing other teams."
A total of 18 letterwinners are on this season's roster including six starting position players who started 40 or more games in 2019. The pitching staff boasts seven returning hurlers as well as a pair of two-way players.
Behind the plate, All-Big West Second Team selection Sean Skelly returns for his senior campaign. Skelly served as the team's everyday catcher for most of last season and led the team in on-base percentage (.432), walks (33) and home runs (7) while he batted .288 with 31 runs and 21 RBI. He committed just two errors behind the plate in 50 games.
In the infield, junior Brandon Bohning is expected to move over to third base this season. Bohning tied Skelly for the team lead in home runs and posted new career highs in homers, RBI (29) and stolen bases (13) last season. In the outfield, the trio of senior Blake Doremus and sophomores Andrew Lucas and Denzel Clarke have all returned in 2020. Doremus appeared in 33 games last season and batted .266 with 21 RBI and a .506 slugging percentage. Lucas batted .268 in his freshman season to go with 51 hits, 30 RBI, 28 runs and five home runs. Clarke batted .243 with 35 hits, 25 runs, 19 RBI and five home runs in 2019.
On the mound, the Matadors boast one returning weekend starter along with several familiar faces in the bullpen. Sophomore right hander Blake Sodersten has moved into the Friday pitching role this season after posting a 2-3 record, 4.72 ERA and 50 strikeouts last season. Making the transition into the starting rotation, sophomore Blaine Traxel set a new freshman record for appearances with 32 while he registered a 3.64 ERA and 48 strikeouts. An All-Big West Honorable Mention, junior Blake Schriever also has returned a season removed from recording nine saves, 55 strikeouts and a 3.21 ERA in a closing role.
Senior two-way player Jayson Newman has returned for his fifth year with the Matadors. Newman enjoyed what was his best start to his career in 2019 before suffering a season-ending injury. He batted .404 with 19 hits, 15 RBI and two home runs in 14 games. He also made three appearances out of the bullpen and struck out four in 3.1 innings.
The team features 16 newcomers on the roster including 10 transfers. Graduate right hander Daniel Vasquez joins the Matadors after spending four seasons at the University of Tennessee. Juniors Jason Ajamian (LA Valley College), Carlos Arellano (Arizona Western College), Cole Coffey (Chabot College), Gabe Gonzalez (LA Mission College), Kai Moody (Cabrillo College) and Dalton Vanhille (Ohlone College) will all bring collegiate experience in their first seasons with the team. On the mound, Elijah Garcia (Sierra College) and Chad Wilson (Santa Ana College) are also junior transfers that join the pitching staff.
Six true freshmen have also been added to the team this season, which include right handers Gavin Lizik (Esperanza High School), Chris Paruleski (Helix High School) and Chase Hennessey (Marina High School), infielders Chad Call (Capistrano Valley High School) and Mason Le (Culver City High School) and catcher Anthony Gibbons (Yucaipa High School).
In a series dating back to 1996, CSUN leads the all-time series with San Francisco 15-4. The Matadors are also 8-1 in games played at Matadors Field. The Dons took two of three in San Francisco last season, winning the last two games. CSUN has not hosted USF since the 2002 season when they swept a three-game series.
Washington State leads CSUN 20-14 in the all-time series, which dates back to 1995. The Matadors are 8-10 at Matador Field against the Cougars. WSU won two of three at home last season and have won five of the last seven in the series, which have all been played in Pullman. The Cougars are making their first trip to Matador Field since 2014 when CSUN won three of four games.
A Closer Look at San Francisco
The Dons went 30-26 last season and 15-12 in the West Coast Conference as they just missed out on a WCC Tournament berth. The team has returned 20 letterwinners from 2019 including seven position starters and three starting pitchers. USF was picked to finish sixth in the WCC preseason coaches poll.
Three Dons were named to the All-WCC Preseason team, which include senior right hander Riley Ornido, senior outfielder Tyler Villaroman and junior infielder Jack Winkler. Ornido went 6-6 with a 4.13 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 80.2 innings. Villaroman led the team with 21 stolen bases while he batted .285 with 18 RBI, 35 runs and 55 hits. Winkler racked up team-highs in runs (49), hits (68) and doubles (17) to go with six home runs and 38 RBI.
A Closer Look at Washington State
The Cougars finished 11-42-1 overall and 3-26-1 in the Pac-12 last season. The team is under the direction of first-year head coach Brian Green. Washington State features 17 letterwinners on this season's roster. The Cougars were picked to finish 11th in the Pac-12 this season.
The team's top returning hitter, junior outfielder Collin Montez, batted .286 with four home runs, 12 doubles, 19 RBI and 31 runs scored. Sophomore infielder Kyle Manzardo also batted .272 with 31 RBI and 26 runs scored. Senior left-hander A.J. Block (0-8, 6.06 ERA) has returned to the team after being selected in the 17th round of the MLB Draft last year.Â
#UniteTheValley
Â
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