The Matadors began the 2009 season at the Cathedral City Kickoff over the weekend.’ After a dominating win in their first game, the team dropped its next four games to start the season 1-4.’ As good as the first win looked, the team was not able to duplicate that performance against the other teams.
In the first game against Liberty on Friday, the team found success through the bats of sophomore infielder Karla Chaparro and senior infielder Micah Putnam.’ The second inning was when CSUN really poured it on behind the plate.’ The team was able to draw some walks and steal a few bases to set themselves up for some RBI singles from senior infielder Sarah Kahn-Sharmout and sophomore infielder Tracy Allen.
After an eight-run second inning, the Matadors saw their first home run of the season come in the third after freshman utility player Jaci Carlsen hit one out.’ On the mound, junior transfer Deborah Duran pitched an incredible game, giving up only two hits and striking out two.
The next game, on the same day, was against the Fordham Rams and CSUN gave up a close one.’ After Fordam jumped out to a 7-0 lead, the Matadors came back with a big effort in the sixth and seventh inning to take an 8-7 lead. During this two-inning stretch, junior outfielder Christina Saenz smashed an RBI double to help get the scoring started.’ Then, in the seventh, junior outfielder Alexandria Alvarado had a double of her own that brought in two runs.
Unfortunately for CSUN, Fordham was able to score two runs in the eighth inning to win the game. The Northridge offense did its job, but the pitching was the difference in this game. Duran came in for the save, but gave up a home run and a game-winning RBI single so that the Rams could escape with the 9-8 win.
CSUN had a day off Saturday as its game against the Wisconsin Badgers was rained out. Northridge will have three weeks to see the Badgers. Wisconsin and CSUN will both be part of the Long Beach State Mayfair Tournament at the end of February.’ ‘
The rain eventually ceased Saturday and the Matadors were able to take the field to face No. 23 Georgia.’ The Bulldogs proved to be too much for CSUN. The Matadors were overpowered and lost 8-0.
The difference in the game was, again, pitching. Bulldog senior pitcher Christie Hamilton struck out nine and gave up no hits on a day that CSUN couldn’t get its bats going.’ Ultimately, two home runs by sophomore infielder Alisa Goler proved to be the difference as Georgia rolled.
The final day of the Cathedral City Kickoff, Sunday, started out with a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis. It was a loss.’ CSUN only came up with three hits in the game.’ Duran delivered a valiant effort on the mound with seven strikeouts, but ultimately gave up two runs, which was the difference as Southern Illinois won 2-0.’
The Matadors finished the day ‘- and the weekend – with a heartbreaking loss to No. 12 Fresno State. Transfer Claire Rietmann-Grout pitched an amazing game for CSUN as she threw 11 strikeouts and pitched seven innings of shutout softball.
At the end of the seventh, the game went into a tiebreaker scenario that is only used in preseason games around the country.
The tiebreaking rule automatically puts a runner on second base to start the inning out. The Bulldogs were able to blast two home runs and score three runners as they put a finish to the Matadors’ chances and won 3-0.
It was a tough weekend for CSUN, but at 1-4, the team is still in a position to turn it around.’ With another tournament coming up on February 19 in El Paso, Texas, the team will be looking to get back on the winning track.
