Friday, February 14
Santa Clara, Calif.
6:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
at
Santa Clara
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
CSUN Opens 67th Season of Baseball at Santa Clara
2/13/2025 12:19:00 PM | Baseball
FULL GAME NOTES
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Baseball officially opens its 67th season this weekend when the Matadors travel to Santa Clara for a three-game series. The season opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m. before continuing on Saturday at 1 p.m. and concluding on Sunday at 12 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
ROSTER AT A GLANCE
CSUN will sport a bit of a different look this season with the addition of 19 newcomers including 13 transfers and six true freshmen. A total of 16 returning letterwinners are on the team to go with a pair of redshirt freshmen. In the lineup, CSUN only has three players returning that started 25 or more games last season while its weekend rotation sports one returning weekend starter from 2024. Among the team's new faces, seven join the Matadors from Division I schools with another five from junior colleges.
A LOOK BACK AT 2024
Under the direction of head coach Eddie Cornejo, the Matadors finished 30-24 overall with a 16-14 record in Big West play. CSUN held on to a share of first place in the Big West standings heading into the final month of the season before slipping to sixth by season's end. Despite the finish, the Matadors would secure their third-straight 30-win season, a feat last accomplished from 1996-98. CSUN also recorded its fifth consecutive winning season for the first time as a Division I program.
RETURNING POSITION PLAYERS
The Matadors saw the departure of many key contributors to the 2024 team including all-conference outfielders Jakob Simons (graduation) and Kevin Fitzer (drafted). Sophomore outfielder Jarren Sanderson is the team's lone returning player to start over 30 games last season while senior outfielder Andrew Gauna started 27 times and first baseman Will Linberg started 25 times. Sanderson emerged as a top hitter as a true freshman last season, batting .312 at the plate with three homers, eight doubles, 26 runs scored and 31 RBI in 39 total appearances. Gauna made 38 total appearances a year ago and produced three homers, six doubles, 23 runs scored and 20 RBI to go with a .257 batting average while Linberg hit .272 with 14 RBI and 20 runs scored.
While mostly in a reserve role, senior infielder Roberto Gonzalez looks to have an expanded role this season after playing in 26 games last season along with sophomores Matthew Pena, Trent Abel and Jehee Lee. Junior catcher Bren Wilkinson is also back along with the returning sophomore outfielder Brandon Leon who missed the final 53 games last season with injury. Also returning are redshirt freshmen Kyle Panganiban and Xavier Rios, both seeking playing time in their first seasons on the field.
RETURNING PITCHERS
A total of six total letterwinners from last season's team make up the pitching staff in 2025. Sophomore right hander Ryan Halamicek figures to be key part of the weekend rotation after a solid freshman season. Halamicek started 14 games, leading the weekend starters with a 6-3 record to go with 32 strikeouts and a 5.25 ERA. Junior Diego Gutierrez made 16 appearances last season with 11 out of the bullpen, but has starting experience with 13 over his career. Left hander Jon Mocherman was a key part of the Matadors' 2023 rotation where he had a 3.33 ERA and 3-1 record before he was forced to miss all of 2024 with injury.
In the bullpen, CSUN will have to fill the void left by all-conference closer Joshua Romero who graduated last year. The Matadors though bring back several familiar faces including right handers Hayden Hall and Blake Ignaciak. The two tied for the second-most appearances last season with 20 each as Hall racked up five wins with a 4.61 ERA and 22 strikeouts while Ignaciak had 15 strikeouts with a 4.91 ERA. Sophomore Destin Allen-Fox, another returner, sported a 4.41 ERA in nine appearances and fellow sophomore Gabriel Hernandez had a 7.50 ERA and two wins over 11 games.
MEET THE MATADORS
Among the many new faces, the Matadors have added all-conference catcher Matthew Kurata who slashed .344/.407/.424 in 77 career games with Cal State Bakersfield. On the infield, junior Cameron Calvillo spent last year at Gonzaga but previously had a standout two seasons at Ohlone College where he batted .344 in 53 games. Sophomore Elijah Fairchild had a strong freshman in 2024 with Skyline College, batting .366 with 47 RBI and 11 stolen bases, sophomore Angel Cortez won a WCC title at San Diego last season and freshman Colton Boardman was an all-state player at Bishop Gorman High School.
In the outfield, senior Luke Honikel played last season at Oregon and previously was an all-conference first team selection at Cypress College. Junior Royce Clayton, Jr. garnered all-region honors last season with Los Angeles Valley College. Freshman Andrew Becker rounds out the incoming outfielders as he batted .376 last year with Canyon Crest Academy. Senior catcher Jesus Liera also adds depth at catching for CSUN after winning the Mexican College National title with the Potros baseball club.
On the pitching side, CSUN had added 10 total newcomers including five transfers. Junior right hander Jason Davis racked up 83 strikeouts in 93 innings last season with El Camino College while junior Calix Armijo collected All-American honors with a 1.12 ERA and 44 strikeouts at Cerritos College. An Oregon State transfer, junior left hander Tyler Mejia posted a 2.53 ERA and 10 strikeouts over nine games in 2024. Another right hander, Noah Rinehart has played collegiately since 2021 after battling back from injuries. Senior Dante Zamudio spent last season at UC Irvine after serving as a two-way player for Pierce College and West Virginia State while sophomore Logan Miller pitched last season for Linn-Benton CC. The freshman quartet of Nicholas Santivanez (RHP, El Modena HS), Max Mendes (RHP, San Joaquin Memorial HS), Kody King (LHP, San Dimas HS) and Jackson Banuelos (LHP, West Ranch HS) round out the staff.
CSUN PICKED SIXTH IN PRESEASON POLL
After finishing in sixth place in the Big West standings last season, CSUN was picked to finish sixth again this season by the league's head coaches in the annual Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Matadors received 50 points in the poll while UC Santa Barbara, last season's Big West champion, was picked first with 99 points and nine first-place votes. UC Irvine was second with 89 points and two first-place votes followed by Cal Poly in third (79 points), Hawai'i in fourth (76 points) and UC San Diego in fifth (63 points). Below CSUN was UC Davis (47 points), Cal State Fullerton (36 points), Long Beach State (36 points), Cal State Bakersfield (18 points) and UC Riverside (12 points).
EYES ON THE 2025 BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP
A new element has been added to the baseball season in 2025 as the Matadors will look to qualify for the 2025 Big West Championship, a five-team tournament field that will determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament. The Big West, which has not hosted a conference tournament in 27 seasons, will hold the 2025 version at Cal State Fullerton's Goodwin Field from May 21-25. The Matadors have not had the opportunity to contend for a conference tournament since the 1996 season when they last competed in the Western Athletic Conference.
SCOUTING SANTA CLARA
The Broncos were 26-26 overall last season with a 12-12 mark in WCC play, good enough for fifth place in the standings. Santa Clara was picked to finish fifth again by the league's head coaches this season. An All-WCC Preseason honoree, infielder Ben Cleary batted .264 with 17 RBI and just three errors on defense in 2024 while returner Dylan Joyce had two homers, 22 RBI and a .278 batting average. On the mound, senior lefty Brandon Gomez had 52 strikeouts in 66.2 innings last year to go with a 5.26 ERA. As a team, Santa Clara was second in the WCC with 73 stolen bases in 2024.
Series History: CSUN and Santa Clara have met 14 times with each side collecting seven victories. However, the teams have played just five games since 2000. CSUN would complete a three-game home sweep of the Broncos in 2019. The Matadors have not played at Santa Clara since 1996 when they took two of three games.
#GoMatadors
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NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Baseball officially opens its 67th season this weekend when the Matadors travel to Santa Clara for a three-game series. The season opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m. before continuing on Saturday at 1 p.m. and concluding on Sunday at 12 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
ROSTER AT A GLANCE
CSUN will sport a bit of a different look this season with the addition of 19 newcomers including 13 transfers and six true freshmen. A total of 16 returning letterwinners are on the team to go with a pair of redshirt freshmen. In the lineup, CSUN only has three players returning that started 25 or more games last season while its weekend rotation sports one returning weekend starter from 2024. Among the team's new faces, seven join the Matadors from Division I schools with another five from junior colleges.
A LOOK BACK AT 2024
Under the direction of head coach Eddie Cornejo, the Matadors finished 30-24 overall with a 16-14 record in Big West play. CSUN held on to a share of first place in the Big West standings heading into the final month of the season before slipping to sixth by season's end. Despite the finish, the Matadors would secure their third-straight 30-win season, a feat last accomplished from 1996-98. CSUN also recorded its fifth consecutive winning season for the first time as a Division I program.
RETURNING POSITION PLAYERS
The Matadors saw the departure of many key contributors to the 2024 team including all-conference outfielders Jakob Simons (graduation) and Kevin Fitzer (drafted). Sophomore outfielder Jarren Sanderson is the team's lone returning player to start over 30 games last season while senior outfielder Andrew Gauna started 27 times and first baseman Will Linberg started 25 times. Sanderson emerged as a top hitter as a true freshman last season, batting .312 at the plate with three homers, eight doubles, 26 runs scored and 31 RBI in 39 total appearances. Gauna made 38 total appearances a year ago and produced three homers, six doubles, 23 runs scored and 20 RBI to go with a .257 batting average while Linberg hit .272 with 14 RBI and 20 runs scored.
While mostly in a reserve role, senior infielder Roberto Gonzalez looks to have an expanded role this season after playing in 26 games last season along with sophomores Matthew Pena, Trent Abel and Jehee Lee. Junior catcher Bren Wilkinson is also back along with the returning sophomore outfielder Brandon Leon who missed the final 53 games last season with injury. Also returning are redshirt freshmen Kyle Panganiban and Xavier Rios, both seeking playing time in their first seasons on the field.
RETURNING PITCHERS
A total of six total letterwinners from last season's team make up the pitching staff in 2025. Sophomore right hander Ryan Halamicek figures to be key part of the weekend rotation after a solid freshman season. Halamicek started 14 games, leading the weekend starters with a 6-3 record to go with 32 strikeouts and a 5.25 ERA. Junior Diego Gutierrez made 16 appearances last season with 11 out of the bullpen, but has starting experience with 13 over his career. Left hander Jon Mocherman was a key part of the Matadors' 2023 rotation where he had a 3.33 ERA and 3-1 record before he was forced to miss all of 2024 with injury.
In the bullpen, CSUN will have to fill the void left by all-conference closer Joshua Romero who graduated last year. The Matadors though bring back several familiar faces including right handers Hayden Hall and Blake Ignaciak. The two tied for the second-most appearances last season with 20 each as Hall racked up five wins with a 4.61 ERA and 22 strikeouts while Ignaciak had 15 strikeouts with a 4.91 ERA. Sophomore Destin Allen-Fox, another returner, sported a 4.41 ERA in nine appearances and fellow sophomore Gabriel Hernandez had a 7.50 ERA and two wins over 11 games.
MEET THE MATADORS
Among the many new faces, the Matadors have added all-conference catcher Matthew Kurata who slashed .344/.407/.424 in 77 career games with Cal State Bakersfield. On the infield, junior Cameron Calvillo spent last year at Gonzaga but previously had a standout two seasons at Ohlone College where he batted .344 in 53 games. Sophomore Elijah Fairchild had a strong freshman in 2024 with Skyline College, batting .366 with 47 RBI and 11 stolen bases, sophomore Angel Cortez won a WCC title at San Diego last season and freshman Colton Boardman was an all-state player at Bishop Gorman High School.
In the outfield, senior Luke Honikel played last season at Oregon and previously was an all-conference first team selection at Cypress College. Junior Royce Clayton, Jr. garnered all-region honors last season with Los Angeles Valley College. Freshman Andrew Becker rounds out the incoming outfielders as he batted .376 last year with Canyon Crest Academy. Senior catcher Jesus Liera also adds depth at catching for CSUN after winning the Mexican College National title with the Potros baseball club.
On the pitching side, CSUN had added 10 total newcomers including five transfers. Junior right hander Jason Davis racked up 83 strikeouts in 93 innings last season with El Camino College while junior Calix Armijo collected All-American honors with a 1.12 ERA and 44 strikeouts at Cerritos College. An Oregon State transfer, junior left hander Tyler Mejia posted a 2.53 ERA and 10 strikeouts over nine games in 2024. Another right hander, Noah Rinehart has played collegiately since 2021 after battling back from injuries. Senior Dante Zamudio spent last season at UC Irvine after serving as a two-way player for Pierce College and West Virginia State while sophomore Logan Miller pitched last season for Linn-Benton CC. The freshman quartet of Nicholas Santivanez (RHP, El Modena HS), Max Mendes (RHP, San Joaquin Memorial HS), Kody King (LHP, San Dimas HS) and Jackson Banuelos (LHP, West Ranch HS) round out the staff.
CSUN PICKED SIXTH IN PRESEASON POLL
After finishing in sixth place in the Big West standings last season, CSUN was picked to finish sixth again this season by the league's head coaches in the annual Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Matadors received 50 points in the poll while UC Santa Barbara, last season's Big West champion, was picked first with 99 points and nine first-place votes. UC Irvine was second with 89 points and two first-place votes followed by Cal Poly in third (79 points), Hawai'i in fourth (76 points) and UC San Diego in fifth (63 points). Below CSUN was UC Davis (47 points), Cal State Fullerton (36 points), Long Beach State (36 points), Cal State Bakersfield (18 points) and UC Riverside (12 points).
EYES ON THE 2025 BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP
A new element has been added to the baseball season in 2025 as the Matadors will look to qualify for the 2025 Big West Championship, a five-team tournament field that will determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament. The Big West, which has not hosted a conference tournament in 27 seasons, will hold the 2025 version at Cal State Fullerton's Goodwin Field from May 21-25. The Matadors have not had the opportunity to contend for a conference tournament since the 1996 season when they last competed in the Western Athletic Conference.
SCOUTING SANTA CLARA
The Broncos were 26-26 overall last season with a 12-12 mark in WCC play, good enough for fifth place in the standings. Santa Clara was picked to finish fifth again by the league's head coaches this season. An All-WCC Preseason honoree, infielder Ben Cleary batted .264 with 17 RBI and just three errors on defense in 2024 while returner Dylan Joyce had two homers, 22 RBI and a .278 batting average. On the mound, senior lefty Brandon Gomez had 52 strikeouts in 66.2 innings last year to go with a 5.26 ERA. As a team, Santa Clara was second in the WCC with 73 stolen bases in 2024.
Series History: CSUN and Santa Clara have met 14 times with each side collecting seven victories. However, the teams have played just five games since 2000. CSUN would complete a three-game home sweep of the Broncos in 2019. The Matadors have not played at Santa Clara since 1996 when they took two of three games.
#GoMatadors
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