CSUN Gives Chapman a Win in CCAA Opener

There were no razzle-dazzle promotions Saturday at Matador Field, where the Cal State Northridge baseball team opened its California Collegiate Athletic Assn. schedule against Chapman.

There was, however, a giveaway of sorts in the eighth inning when Matador infielders made two errors that handed Chapman an 8-7 victory.

“We gave it away,” Northridge Coach Terry Craven said. “It’s very simple.”

So were the plays that cost the Matadors (8-17 overall, 0-1 in conference play), both of which appeared to be of the routine variety that shortstop Ted Weisfuss and second baseman Jimmy Mitchell have handled successfully hundreds of times.

Chapman (13-10-1, 2-1) was leading, 5-4, when the Panthers’ Mike Grahovac singled off starter Cary Snyder to lead off the eighth. Snyder, who was tiring, was replaced by left-hander Fili Martinez, who induced Tony Gardea to hit a sharp ground ball to short. Weisfuss, however, was unable to handle the play, putting runners at first and second.

Paul Swingle followed with a bunt single to load the bases, setting the stage for the Matadors’ second error. Bucky Bollinger hit a ground ball to Weisfuss, who fielded it cleanly and threw to Mitchell for the start of what looked like the Matadors’ third double play of the game. Mitchell, however, stepped on second to force Swingle, then threw the ball over the head of first baseman Rob Scott, allowing Gardea to score from second.

A single by Steve Guidice moved Bollinger to third and Bryan Beals drove in Bollinger one out later with a bunt single to make the score 8-4.

The Matadors rallied for 3 runs in the home half of the eighth on Lenn Gilmore’s seventh home run, and a two-out, pinch-double by Scott Stewart off reliever Matt Patuano that drove in Mark Bowen and John Bonilla.

After a leadoff single by Weisfuss in the ninth, Patuano retired Chae-Ho Chong, Gilmore and Scott, in order, to earn his fourth save.

David Bird (4-2) pitched 7 innings for Chapman to earn the win, while Snyder (2-2) suffered the loss.

Mark Herbert also homered for the Matadors.