NORTHRIDGE, California – CSUN got a two-out solo home run from Branden Berry in the bottom of the first, and the tally would hold up the rest of the game as the Matadors went on to a 2-0 victory over HBU in the opening game of a four-game series Friday at Matador Field.
Senior shortstop
Louie Payetta and senior designated hitter
Austin Saenz each doubled for the Huskies (10-7).
Junior righthander
Addison Russ (3-1) took a tough loss, allowing one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in seven innings. Redshirt freshman
Zach Carter allowed an unearned run in one inning of work.
Berry went 2-for-3, while Yusuke Akitoshi went 2-for-4 for the Matadors (15-3), who extended their winning streak to 10 games. Justin Toerner tripled and Elias Orona singled and scored a run.
Angel Rodriguez (3-0) earned the win, shutting out HBU on three hits with four strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Samuel Myers pitched two-thirds of an inning, then Connor O'Neil earned his fourth save of the year by holding the Huskies to one hit with two strikeouts over the final two innings.
After Russ struck out a pair to start off the bottom of the first, Berry followed with a home run to left.
Sophomore first baseman
Carey Jones led off the sixth with a single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior centerfielder
Joe Van Marter, who also had a single in the game. Jones went to third on a groundout by senior second baseman
Greg Espinosa, but Payetta grounded out hard to first to end the threat.
Orona walked to lead off the eighth, then went to second on a bunt by Fred Smith. Akitoshi followed with a bunt, but junior catcher
Blake Thomas's throw skipped past first, allowing the Matadors to take a 2-0 lead.
The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m. PDT, followed by the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m. PDT.
