California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Connor Clark
CSUN Softball Gearing Up: The Outfield
2/6/2024 10:40:00 AM | Softball
CSUN opens its 47th season of softball at home against Oklahoma State on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m., at Matador Diamond.
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As we look forward to the season, we preview the 2024 Matadors finishing with CSUN's outfield.
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RETURNERS
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Coming back for the Matadors are a pair of all-conference honorees in juniors Mikayla Carman and Kaylee Escutia while also returning are juniors Alexis Landeros, Mia Cortez and Maiya Alemania and sophomores Kennedy Gustin and Raegan Jackson.
Over her career, Carman was named to the 2023 First Team All-Conference, 2022 Second Team All-Conference, and 2022 All Big West Freshman Team. She led the team in hitting (.333), at bats (160), and hits (54) this past season. She was also second on the team in runs (29), RBI (28), total bases (68), and triples (3) while she was third in doubles (8). In her first year, Carman started 48 games out of 50 appearances and scored 23 runs to go with finishing the regular season 40th in Division I in toughest to strikeout (18.0).
Last season, Escutia was chosen as 2023 second team All-Conference while she previously was named 2022 Honorable Mention All-Conference and placed on the 2022 All Big West Freshman Team. She paced the Matadors in home runs (5), RBI (30), and slugging percentage (.545) in 2023. As a freshman, she tied the school record for most walks in a game with four.
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Landeros tied the school Division I record for the most triples in a season with six last season. She started 28 times in 35 appearances and was chosen Academic All-Conference. As a freshman, Landeros started 27 out of 38 appearances while she previously was a member of the 2019 and 2020 Batbusters Stith Gold National Teams.
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Cortez played in 23 games, starting eight of them while finishing with seven hits and four RBI in 2023. As a freshman, she appeared in 32 games, mostly as a pinch-runner where she scored eight runs. Cortez also earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors. In high school, she served as team captain as a junior and a senior.
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Gustin started 18 games of the 39 she appeared in this past season. She was also tied for the team lead in stolen bases with seven while she scored 13 runs and was selected as an Easton/NFCA Scholar-Athlete. In high school, Gustin had 60 career runs and 19 stolen bases. Gustin also played travel ball for Universal Fastpitch Gold 18U.
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In 2023, Alemania appeared in 17 games, starting 14 of them. She scored 11 runs, three doubles, one triple and one home run. As a freshman, she started all seven of her appearances. Alemania also earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors. In high school, she played for the Fired Up FastPitch, Solano Pride FastPitch, DirtDogs FastPitch, Universal FastPitch, and PowerFastPitch.
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Jackson tied for fourth on the team in home runs with two and recorded 10 RBI. She appeared in 43 games, starting 13. She scored eight runs and was selected as an Easton/NFCA Scholar-Athlete. In high school, she was selected as 2022 Napa County Softball player of the Year along with 2022 Vine Valley Athletic League MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
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"I think their versatility is going to be their strength." Volunteer Assistant Coach Terry Schweikert said. "From what they did last year, and the growth that they had, they are building on that and are very hungry to build on that foundation. They had a great year. The versatility and our experience is off the charts. I think we are going to ride on that and take the game to another level."
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NEWCOMERS
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Joining the Matadors for the 2024 season are freshman Lulu Sanchez and junior Jizzell Ruiz, which will provide the team further depth.
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Sanchez began her varsity career as a freshman in high school while she hit .438 during the 2022 CIF Southern Section Division I Tournament as the team reached the semifinals. She was a first-team selection to the 2022 Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team. Sanchez also played for the Explosion Sanchez club program.
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Ruiz was a softball team member at LA Mission College from 2021-23 where she hit .356 with one home run and 23 RBI as a sophomore. In 2023, she stole 22 bases in 23 attempts. In 2022, she stole 53 bases in 57 attempts and scored 56 runs. She earned All-State, first-team All-Conference, and team Golden Spike award as well in 2022. In high school, she won the LA City Section D1 title during 2019.
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#GoMatadors
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As we look forward to the season, we preview the 2024 Matadors finishing with CSUN's outfield.
Â
RETURNERS
Â
Coming back for the Matadors are a pair of all-conference honorees in juniors Mikayla Carman and Kaylee Escutia while also returning are juniors Alexis Landeros, Mia Cortez and Maiya Alemania and sophomores Kennedy Gustin and Raegan Jackson.
Over her career, Carman was named to the 2023 First Team All-Conference, 2022 Second Team All-Conference, and 2022 All Big West Freshman Team. She led the team in hitting (.333), at bats (160), and hits (54) this past season. She was also second on the team in runs (29), RBI (28), total bases (68), and triples (3) while she was third in doubles (8). In her first year, Carman started 48 games out of 50 appearances and scored 23 runs to go with finishing the regular season 40th in Division I in toughest to strikeout (18.0).
Last season, Escutia was chosen as 2023 second team All-Conference while she previously was named 2022 Honorable Mention All-Conference and placed on the 2022 All Big West Freshman Team. She paced the Matadors in home runs (5), RBI (30), and slugging percentage (.545) in 2023. As a freshman, she tied the school record for most walks in a game with four.
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Landeros tied the school Division I record for the most triples in a season with six last season. She started 28 times in 35 appearances and was chosen Academic All-Conference. As a freshman, Landeros started 27 out of 38 appearances while she previously was a member of the 2019 and 2020 Batbusters Stith Gold National Teams.
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Cortez played in 23 games, starting eight of them while finishing with seven hits and four RBI in 2023. As a freshman, she appeared in 32 games, mostly as a pinch-runner where she scored eight runs. Cortez also earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors. In high school, she served as team captain as a junior and a senior.
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Gustin started 18 games of the 39 she appeared in this past season. She was also tied for the team lead in stolen bases with seven while she scored 13 runs and was selected as an Easton/NFCA Scholar-Athlete. In high school, Gustin had 60 career runs and 19 stolen bases. Gustin also played travel ball for Universal Fastpitch Gold 18U.
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In 2023, Alemania appeared in 17 games, starting 14 of them. She scored 11 runs, three doubles, one triple and one home run. As a freshman, she started all seven of her appearances. Alemania also earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors. In high school, she played for the Fired Up FastPitch, Solano Pride FastPitch, DirtDogs FastPitch, Universal FastPitch, and PowerFastPitch.
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Jackson tied for fourth on the team in home runs with two and recorded 10 RBI. She appeared in 43 games, starting 13. She scored eight runs and was selected as an Easton/NFCA Scholar-Athlete. In high school, she was selected as 2022 Napa County Softball player of the Year along with 2022 Vine Valley Athletic League MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
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"I think their versatility is going to be their strength." Volunteer Assistant Coach Terry Schweikert said. "From what they did last year, and the growth that they had, they are building on that and are very hungry to build on that foundation. They had a great year. The versatility and our experience is off the charts. I think we are going to ride on that and take the game to another level."
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NEWCOMERS
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Joining the Matadors for the 2024 season are freshman Lulu Sanchez and junior Jizzell Ruiz, which will provide the team further depth.
Â
Sanchez began her varsity career as a freshman in high school while she hit .438 during the 2022 CIF Southern Section Division I Tournament as the team reached the semifinals. She was a first-team selection to the 2022 Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team. Sanchez also played for the Explosion Sanchez club program.
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Ruiz was a softball team member at LA Mission College from 2021-23 where she hit .356 with one home run and 23 RBI as a sophomore. In 2023, she stole 22 bases in 23 attempts. In 2022, she stole 53 bases in 57 attempts and scored 56 runs. She earned All-State, first-team All-Conference, and team Golden Spike award as well in 2022. In high school, she won the LA City Section D1 title during 2019.
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#GoMatadors
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Players Mentioned
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