CSUN Closes Season with 8-1 Win Over Hawai'i Behind Christopher's Gem

Friday, May 15

Manoa, Hawai'i

9:35 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

25-28, 12-18

Hawai'i

27-22, 16-14

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
CSUN	0	0	1	0	1	3	0	3	0	8	8	0
Hawaii	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	3

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

CSUN Closes Season with 8-1 Win Over Hawai'i Behind Christopher's Gem

5/16/2026 1:35:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

HONOLULU---Senior Adam Christopher closed his collegiate career with complete game victory to lift CSUN Baseball to an 8-1 victory over Hawai'i in the season finale on Friday at Les Murakami Stadium. Christopher racked up a career-high 12 strikeouts in the ballgame, allowing one run on six hits to go with one walk.

CSUN broke the game open with three runs in the sixth and eighth innings while senior Will Linberg closed his Matador career with a two-hit game and his fifth homer of the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Christopher would make the most of his final collegiate start on Friday night. The Northridge native frustrated Hawai'i hitters throughout the night, as he registered at least one strikeout in eight of nine innings.

After retiring the side in order in each of the first two innings, Christopher pitched out of a jam in the third by stranding two base runners. Recording three straight outs in the third, Christopher went on to sit down seven straight Rainbow Warrior batters to take a shutout to the fifth.

The Matadors gave Christopher a bit of run support early when Linberg hammered a leadoff home run in the top of the third. CSUN doubled its lead in the fifth when a double steal led to a throwing error from Hawai'i, giving Trent Abel a chance to score from third base.

Hawai'i got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, plating a run on a two-out hit from Gabe Wright. Christopher though bounced back to strike out Tino Bethancourt to end the frame, stranding two base runners.

Leading 2-1 in the sixth, CSUN created some separation with a three-run frame. Abel legged out an infield single with runners at the corners, bringing in a run. Two batters later, Jehee Lee reached on an error to load the bases. CSUN then picked up runs on an Evan Saito hit by pitch and a Vaughn Coleman walk.

The Matadors added more insurance runs in the top of the eighth with a two-out rally. With two runners on base, Coleman reached on a base hit, but a throwing error allowed Lee and Saito each to score. Matthew Thomas would cap the inning with a line drive double down the third base line for an 8-1 lead.

The lead was more than enough for Christopher who left two Hawai'i base runners on the base paths in a scoreless seventh. The right hander notched his 10th strikeout of the game when he fanned Bethancourt to start the eighth. A 1-2-3 inning for Christopher in the eighth allowed the senior to return to the mound in the ninth.

Christopher fanned his 12th batter to begin the ninth inning while he managed to pitch around a pair of hits to secure a complete game victory.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN wraps up the season at 25-28 overall and 12-18 in Big West play. The Matadors had a 10-game win improvement from last season.
Hawai'i closes the regular season at 27-22 overall and 16-14 in conference.
The Matadors finished with an 8-6 edge in base hits.
Christopher's complete game was the first by a Matador pitcher since Ryan Halamicek last season.
Linberg's homer was his sixth of his three-year CSUN career. He closes his Matador career with 116 hits in 127 total games.
Collecting his 21 double of the season, Thomas posted the most doubles by a Matador in a season since Adam Kennedy in 1997. Overall, his 21 doubles are tied for the eighth-most in a season in team history.

ACCORDING TO COACH EDDIE CORNEJO
"The ride home will be more enjoyable after a win, but the coach in me knows we have a lot of work to do.

"Adam had a special game tonight. It was the anniversary of a very personal event for him and his performance will be remembered for years to come."

#GoMatadors