The Matadors (5-8) had no luck against Nebraska over the weekend as they lost every match of the four-game series against the Cornhuskers.

In the first game, on Friday, things went wrong for CSUN from the beginning as the Cornhuskers (10-3-1) put up five runs in the second inning to jump out to an early lead.

A two-run shot by CSUN third baseman Ryan Pineda in the fourth inning followed by a solo home run from first baseman Dominic D’Anna gave the Matadors some comeback hopes, but it wasn’t enough.

The Cornhuskers increased their lead with an RBI from catcher Cody Burleson in the sixth inning and never looked back in their 9-3 victory.

Taking the loss for CSUN was right-handed pitcher Ryan McCarney (0-1). He gave up six runs and struck out three batters.

The next day, the Matadors took the field for a doubleheader and, again, didn’t have much fortune.

On the mound in the first game for the Matadors was Ryan Juarez (2-1), who was rocked for 10 runs in his four innings of work.

The Cornhuskers scored seven runs in the second inning to take a commanding 8-0 lead. They never gave up the advantage. The Matadors were able to somewhat stay in it following RBIs from Pineda and D’Anna, but in the end, those runs only served to keep the scoreboard respectable as Nebraska held on to win 11-5.

In game two, CSUN got out to a hot start as it put up four runs in the first inning thanks again to RBIs from Pineda and D’Anna and also from second baseman Westley Wright.

The lead didn’t last. Nebraska pulled off an eight-run inning in the fourth to take a four-run lead that they wouldn’t give up as the Cornhuskers went on to win 12-6.

Taking the loss for the game was relieving pitcher Billy Ott (0-1). He only gave up three hits, but allowed seven earned runs.

In the fourth and final game of the weekend series, on Sunday, CSUN again fell victim to a poor start as its left-handed pitcher, Bryan Harper (0-1), gave up four earned runs on five hits.

Coming into the game in relief duty was right-handed pitcher Jimmy Jolicoeur, who gave up three earned runs and struck out three batters.

The Matadors put up a little offense in the fourth inning as outfielder Richard Cates smashed a double to get himself into scoring position.’ Then D’Anna recorded an RBI as Cates came in to score.

About the only positive note’ of the entire series was the fact that Pineda kept his 13-game hitting streak alive, staying true to form in his sophomore season after being named Big West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008.

Things don’t get any easier for the Matadors as they will host undefeated San Jose State (9-0) for three straight days at Matador Diamond. The first game is on Friday at 3 p.m

The Cal State Northridge softball team (12-8) played host this weekend and welcomed Rutgers, Portland State and Quinnipiac in the Worth Invitational at Matador Diamond. The Matadors did a solid job and went 4-1 for the second straight weekend. CSUN has been on a hot streak, winning 11 of its last 15 games. One reason for the Matadors’ success lately has been the great pitching from their two aces junior Debbie Duran and freshman Hannah Fraijo. Duran is 7-5 with an ERA of 2.00 and Fraijo is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.91. This weekend, the Matadors also had big help from freshman Jaci Carlesen, who batted .455, drove in three RBIs and scored four runs in the five games.

‘I feel like our team is on the right direction and can do big things this season,’ Carlsen said. ‘If we play hard and keep our heads on straight, we can play well in our upcoming games.’

Friday vs. Rutgers, lost 6-1

CSUN opened the Worth Invitational with a 6-1 loss against the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers in game 1 of a doubleheader. The Matadors did not get much help from their star pitcher, Duran, who got knocked out in the third inning for giving up six runs. Fraijo came in to relieve and didn’t give up a run the rest of the game. The Matadors’ only run of the game came in the fifth inning after junior Lauren Olivas got her first RBI of the season.

Friday vs. Rutgers, won 2-0

In game 2, Duran got revenge against Rutgers by pitching a complete shutout that gave the Matadors a 2-0 victory. Duran looked unyielding throughout the game, only giving up two hits and striking out four batters. At the plate, the Matadors got seven hits, two of which came from their cleanup hitter, Christina Saenz.

Saturday vs. Portland State, won 4-1

The Matadors defeated Portland State 4-1 Saturday morning in their third game of the Worth Invitational. CSUN was trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning when senior Micah Putman hit a grand slam to propel the Matadors to the win. Junior Amanda Pitzenberger gave the Matadors five scoreless innings of relief work.

Saturday vs. Quinnipiac, won 8-0

On Saturday afternoon, CSUN defeated Quinnipiac 8-0 in five innings. Fraijo pitched five innings of shutout softball and recorded her second win of the season. In the fifth inning, the Matadors got five runs, one came from Carlsen’s RBI double. For the game, CSUN got seven hits and allowed only three from Quinnipiac.

Sunday vs. Portland State, won 7-5

On Sunday, the final day of the Worth Invitational, the Matadors defeated Portland State for the second time on the weekend, 7-5. The Matador pitchers had a rough day at the mound, but their bats led them to victory. Carlsen, Jaclyn Rymerand and Karla Chaparro all had two RBIs for the Matadors. Carlsen hit a bomb to left field that gave her a second home run for the season.

CSUN Head Coach Bobby Braswell was named the Big West Conference’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season on Monday.

Braswell, who compiled an overall record of 15-13 (11-5 in the Big West) and led the Matadors to a conference regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming tournament this season, was humble when accepting the recognition.

‘I’m just blessed I’ve had a group of guys that bought into the system,’ Braswell said in a teleconference call.

The coach was not the only CSUN representative to be honored by the Big West. Forward Tremaine Townsend, who ‘- among active players ‘- leads the Matadors in scoring at 11.1 points per game, was selected to the All-Big West First Team. The senior was also the conference regular season’s top rebounder at 8.3 rpg. and with that, became the first player in Northridge’s history to lead the Big West in the category for back-to-back seasons.

Guard Josh Jenkins, who was injured in a car crash which ended his season on Feb. 14, earned himself a Big West Honorable Mention despite having missed the past six games for CSUN. Jenkins’ average of 6.1 assists per game ended at the top of the conference’s assist-per-game list.’ CSUN senior Rob Haynes, who averages almost 10 points per game, got the same accolade as Jenkins.

Cal State Fullerton’s guard Josh Akognon won the Big West’s Player of the Year honor along with a selection on the conference’s First Team next to Townsend. Larry Anderson of the 49ers was named Freshman of the Year and also made the First Team. It was only the second time in the Big West’s history that a freshman was selected among the conference’s top six players.

The rest of the conference’s First Team was composed of forward Kyle Austin of UC Riverside, guard Vince Oliver of UC Davis and forward Chris Devine of UC Santa Barbara.

As the No. 1 seed in the Big West Tournament, which lasts from Wednesday until Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center, the Matadors got two byes directly into the Friday semifinals. CSUN will know who its rival will be on Thursday night. That adversary will not be No. 3 Pacific or No. 2 Long Beach State.

The concept of online shopping can be a hassle especially when merchandise is not of a person’s interest.

Now this frustration can be alleviated by utilizing a new website called shopittome.com which partners with a variety of online retailers like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom’s and Saks Fifth Avenue to alert consumers via e-mail when many of their favorite clothing brands go on sale.

‘It’s like having a personal shopper who finds you items you love, and for a discount,’ said Natalie Goel, marketing associate for shopittome.com.

Within the listed vendors, are brands such as Gucci, Betsey Johnson, Juicy Couture and Seven jeans.

‘When you see an item that you want to buy in your e-mail alert, called ’salemail,’ you click on the item and that takes you directly to the retailer’s website where you can complete your purchase,’ said Goel. ‘We’re not the ones putting the items on sale ‘- we just alert you when major retailers put items on sale in your size and in your favorite brands.’

Because the website is considered a personal shopping tool, a person must become a subscriber to enjoy the benefits the site has to offer.

The sign-up process can be completed in a few steps by providing basic information including an e-mail address so e-mail alerts can immediately be sent when a person’s favorite pieces of clothing or accessories go on sale.

During the sign-up process, each subscriber has the option to pick what sizes, designers and type of products benefit them.

Alexandria Bohne, a 19-year-old marketing major, said this website is a well-rounded shopping tool.

‘The most interesting thing about the site is the diversity. It doesn’t matter what your personal style is, the site will have something for you,’ said Bohne. ‘I also love how the site asks you for your sizes in everything from your shirt to your shoes. The site really tries to find your sizes right away and not have you waste your time looking at clothes that aren’t even your size.’

Spenser Patterson, a 25-year-old business marketing major, said he loves how he’s able to customize the items he is looking for. This website is his first preference when looking for sale items.

‘When looking for new clothes, I will go here first and try to find the best deal,’ said Patterson.

For those who are interested in accessories such as handbags from high-end retailers, Goel said shopittome.com carries discounted items.

‘It’s not uncommon for high-end brands like Gucci, Fendi and Louis Vuitton to have sales, but sometimes you must act quickly before these items get scooped up by others,’ said Goel.

If there are problems with any merchandise brought through the website the return policy varies from retailer to retailer.

According to Goel, some vendors like Zappos.com offer free shipping and returns by mail while other merchants such as Urban Outfitters and Banana Republic allow you to return items through mail or directly at the stores.

‘If a person is use to shopping at designer outlets just think of this site as a designer outlet that only carries your size,’ Patterson said.

Shopittome.com is planning to become one of the most popular personal shopping websites, and it plans to do this by expanding their products and services by applying customer feedback.

Recently shopittome.com added a feature allowing subscribers to hold all e-mail alerts when they go on vacation.

‘The website will change how I shop because now I will spend less time looking online for deals and be able to find what I want right away,’ Bohne said. ‘It’s so convenient and I plan to recommend this website to all my friends.’

Psychology is the number one major at CSUN and it comes as quite a surprise to some.

A CSUN admissions and records officer said her prediction of top ten majors would be (in order of popularity) Business, CTVA, Engineering, Computer Science, Music, Biology, Pan African Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Kinesiology and Health Science.

The officer, who has been working in the department for 30 years, did not want to be identified.

While her estimation for CTVA and biology were close, her predictions were wrong.

Pan African studies and Chicana/o studies both failed to make the official top ten list which is based on enrollment numbers.

The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication offer majors in TV and radio broadcasting. These concentrations are two of the most popular at CSUN.

Broadcast professor Rick Marks said that the proximity to Hollywood, affordable tuition and the department’s excellent reputation is what makes these majors so popular at CSUN.

‘USC offers similar programs for around 12 times the price but I don’t think you are getting 12 times the education,’ he said.

Despite communications being part of the same school as TV and radio broadcasting, it failed to make CSUN’s top ten list.

Junior communications major Sean Opteyndt said his major is not as popular as others since people underestimate it.

‘Many people think that communications is an ‘athlete’ major, meaning that you really can’t do much with it,’ he said.

While political science and government ranked number eight on the Princeton Review’s top ten list, it didn’t make the top ten at CSUN.

Senior political science student Nick Thomas said he believes his major is not as popular at CSUN as it’s nationally because of the political culture of the area.

‘In Southern California more people are worried about Brad Pitt and ‘octomom,’ than elections or policy,’ he said.

Thomas said he chose political science for the wide variety of topics it covers.

‘Political science involves psychology, sociology, journalism, economics and history all in one field.

Thomas said, like most political science students, he plans to go to law school after he graduates in May.

While the Spring 2009 top ten major figures are yet to be calculated, CSUN Director of Institutional Research Bettina Huber said there is no reason to think Spring’s figures would be any different than those of Fall 2008.

CSUN
1. General Psychology
2. Liberal Studies’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘
3. Radio/TV/Broadcasting
4. Organizational System Management
5. Business Administration
6. Sociology
7. Marketing
8. Biology
9. Accounting
10. Other Majors
‘
*Figures from Fall 2008. Director of Institutional Research Bettina Huber said there is no reason to think Spring’s figures would be any different.
Cal State Fullerton
1. Business Administration
2. Accounting
3. Finance
4. Art
5. Business Communication
6. Music Education
7. Marketing
8. Fine Art
9. Management
10. Music
‘
*Figures from Cal State Fullerton Office of Analytical Review. 2007-2008
‘
Princeton Review
1. Business Administration and Management
2. Psychology
3. Elementary Education and Teaching
4. Nursing
5. Biology
6. Education
7. English Language Literature
8. Political Science and Government
9. Economics
10. Marketing/Marketing Management
‘
*Figures from the 2009 Princeton Review. The Princeton Review conducts an annual survey of schools across the country.

‘

CSUN will be switching gears this coming Fall, leaving behind three-days-a-week classes and cutting down on the time students spend on campus. Supporters believe 50-minute classes are too short to allow for in-depth teaching and learning.

The new schedule will conduct classes Monday and Wednesday, Tuesday and Thursday, and Friday and Saturday. Three-hour periods will only be on Fridays or Saturdays.

‘The new schedule will maximize room use, we will teach a course all day Friday-lecture, field study and a lab,’ said Faculty Senate President Jennifer Matos. ‘CSUN is in a pinch about finding enough classrooms for lower-division classes.’

The change came at the request of the Associated Students senate, while a similar shift is happening at community colleges, which will not only make the campus classroom efficient, but easier for students to simultaneously go to CSUN and community college, according to Cheryl Spector, secretary of the Faculty Senate.

Some students are patiently awaiting the change.

‘This is going to be great, but those Friday and Saturday classes sound scary,’ said Daniel Kanooni, 20, sophomore geography major. ‘I wouldn’t take them if it was just a random elective.’

Students will be able to arrange their schedules in a way that requires fewer trips to campus each week, which saves driving, gas, money and cuts down on pollution.

One problem that always seems to be a factor for most students is parking.

‘I do think we’ll diminish the huge Tuesday/Thursday crush in the parking lots by spreading (the schedule) out so that some of it goes over to Monday/Wednesday on the new schedule,’ Spector said. ‘Moving more classes to Friday/Saturday should mean moving some parking to those days as well.’

Not all students, however, are convinced that the new schedule will ease the stress in the parking lots.

‘Parking will still suck, but I wish the new schedule came sooner,’ said Kevin Kanooni, 22, graduating senior, political science major. ‘It sounds like you could have a heavy load Monday thru Thursday and have Friday off.’

Changes will begin on Aug. 24, ‘the campus is going to take a wait and see attitude, and hope not too many students will end up with six day a week classes or one day a week classes,’ Spector concluded.

Engineering and computer science contenders Aditya Singh and Stephen Li split hairs cordially over recycling, school spirit and budget issues.

Aditya, a junior engineering major, and Li, a junior civil engineer major, are proponents of expanding recycling on campus.

‘Recycling is not just about life here on campus, it is about life in the world,’ said Li.

Li said that he would like to see more recycling bins scattered around campus.

The debated heated up when the issue of school spirit arose.

The candidates disagreed on whether the Big Show, featuring Ludacris, increased school spirit.

While Li supported the event, he said that he didn’t think that it increased school spirit.

The event cost $120,000 and Li said the high price tag was due to poor planning.

‘They need to get a less known band and that will keep the budget down,’ he said.

Aditya supported the concert and said it definitely increased school spirit. He agreed with Li and said the budget on the event needs to be kept in check.

Again, barely splitting the difference, Aditya and Li addressed campus safety. Both agreed that the safety patrol provided by A.S should be expanded.

‘Perhaps we could recruit volunteers for the safety patrol and offer an incentive in return such as priority registration,’ said Li.

The next lukewarm debate was between the candidates vying for the College of Health and Human Development seat.

If elected Eboni Blanche, Armand Ohanian and Jose Trujillo all said they would like to serve a full year in the senate.

However, they had different opinions when asked hypothetically how to solve CSUN’s budget issues.

Blanche, a junior public health education major, said she would raise tuition.

‘You can’t put a price on education,’ she said.

Ohanian and Trujillo said they would cut programs and services.

The three disagreed again on the topic of recycling.

While Blanche and Ohanian agreed that it campus recycling needed to be expanded, Trujillo said it was not a top priority.

‘I would like to see recycling bins at sports events,’ said Ohanian, a senior kinesiology major.

Ohanian and Trujillo agreed that school spirit begins with sports and could be developed through promoting various sporting events.

‘I would like to see pep rallies outside the library,’ said Trujillo.

All agreed that the challenges of overcoming the lack of school spirit at CSUN would be a huge undertaking.

Blanche said she would start by attempting to more effectively promote events such as Matador Tuesday; a day when everyone is encouraged to wear school colors.

The article in the Daily Sundial on Feb. 26 about KCSN was very well written and I would like to add my opinion to it.’ It is sad to know that the majority of CSUN students have no idea about our radio station and that those who do feel like what is played does not reflect what the students want.’ I would like to say that I must be that rare one percent that knows about our wonderful radio station and actually listens to it.’ OK, so I know that the majority of the kids on campus don’t listen to classical music and they would rather listen to the more ‘hip’ music of the day, but that’s not for me.’ Don’t get me wrong I listen to bands like Coldplay and Kanye West, but 9 times out of 10, I prefer classical music.’ If I had a choice I would rather listen to Gershwin’s Rhapsody and Blue or Dvorak’s Symphony #9 in E Minor over any other type of music.’ These are the pieces of music that speak to me and I am not of the radio’s listener demographic that is 35 to 65.’ No, I am 20, soon to be 21.

Of course I also listen to Classical KUSC which is USC’s radio station and it is 100 percent classical 24/7.’ In fact I am a proud member and have been for several years.’ KCSN and KUSC are of the few remaining radio stations that are independent radio stations where you don’t have commercials that are the main programming block instead of music, like on other radio stations now.’ Independent radio stations like these are to be treasured and supported as much as possible, or else we are going to see the same sort of things that happened to KMOZART and others.

Yet it is not just classical music that I listen to on KCSN, but I also enjoy ‘Meet the Beatles’ and for years, I loved listening to ‘The Swingin’ Years with Chuck Cecil.” Ah yes another music genre that some would consider old like classical, yet I love swing music.’ In fact if you were to look at my iPod right now you would see that the two largest genres of music I have on there are classical and swing.

In the end I think that the majority of the students featured in the article that probably had no idea that we had a station shouldn’t speak out against it and complain that it plays music targeted to professors.’ Don’t judge a book by its cover!

I hope that the classical music programming will not be changed just so that KCSN can relate more to the students because they are already relating to me, even if I am that one percent of the entire student body.’ I also hope that the current budget crisis gets fixed because I would love to see the station move into the new Performing Arts Center.

Sincerely,
Christianna Triolo
journalism major

In recent weeks, it has been difficult to get away from stories about Alex Rodriguez testing positive for steroids.’ This hasn’t helped the already limping reputation of baseball as the number of athletes involved with performance enhancing substances increases.’

A-Rod is arguably baseball’s most talented player.’ If his current pace of statistics continues, he could possibly be considered one of the best players of all time and an instant candidate for the Hall of Fame.’ ‘

Baseball has some rough years ahead.’ But it isn’t because most of their superstars are cheaters, it’s because everyone in baseball uses some substance to give himself an edge.

This is not some epidemic among big homerun hitters who want to put up big numbers because it’s a contract year.’ The issue that requires more attention is that players whose names will never be in the spotlight have to use steroids just to keep up.

This is not to say that A-Rod using such substances isn’t an issue.’ This is a league that didn’t start testing for steroids till 2003.’ This is a system of rules that was begging for people to abuse it if there wasn’t even testing until just a few years ago.’

Baseball players were in a system that didn’t check to see if they were cheating, and even if the were caught, the punishments weren’t significant enough to deter them.’

There is also a financial incentive for players to use steroids. Minimum salary in the Minor Leagues isn’t much more than the average job.’ According to MLBplayers.com, the official Web site for the Players Association, MLB’s minimum player salary was $390,000 last year.

Many MLB players come from third world countries with a low financial upbringing.’ This large of a jump can not only change a player’s life, but their family’s as well.’ The league minimum alone is enough motivation to give themselve’s an edge.’ Even if that edge can potentially take 10 years off of their life.’

The fact there are so many of baseball’s superstars using steroids isn’t an indication that they’re only talented because of steroids.’ The issue is steroids are so common among all of the players.’

MLB only started speaking out against steroid use after the government started investigating.’ Bud Selig, Commissioner of MLB, had turned a blind eye to performance enhancing drugs. Baseball carried a nonchalant attitude towards steroids because it could help sell tickets.’ Steroid tests need to be conducted more often and punishments for positive results needs to be harsh with possible exemption of Hall of Fame status.’ If they can continue to discipline Pete Rose for gambling then they can punish those who blatantly cheated the game.

A-Rod testing positive for steroids is a big deal, but steroids are exceedingly rampant in baseball.’ This is trickling down into the lower division leagues, recreational use, and even in high schools.’ MLB is the place where the best players in the world compete.’ Until they set the standard for drug use, the rest of the sports world will continue to follow down the same road.