In dropping a 1-0 decision to the Long Beach Dirtbags, the CSUN offense was unable to provide senior pitcher Jerry Keel with any run support. But the story of the night was the Matadors missing bats and their inability to do anything with Dirtbags starting pitcher Tanner Brown.
Brown held the Matadors offense in check, as he pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits while striking out seven.
Keel allowed just one run (zero unearned), but it was one run too many on a night where the Matador’s offense was AWOL. The lone run came in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI ground-out to score the runner from third. The runner led off the inning with a bunt single, but advanced to second on a throwing error by second baseman Ryan Raslowsky. The next batter brought him over to third with one out and then the that led to the RBI groundout which ultimately proved to be the difference in the ball game.
Keel has allowed only five earned runs in his last 29.1 innings of work, the southpaw came into the contest sporting the best ERA in the starting rotation at 1.88.
The Matador offense had a few opportunities to score in the game, but were unable to capitalize. First chance came in the top of the second inning when center-fielder Elias Orona hit a double down the left field line with two outs, but would be stranded at second after pinch hitter Albie Weiss struck out to the end the inning.
The second opportunity came in the fourth when first baseman Nolan Bumstead led off the inning with a single, but Brown would retire the next 14 batters he faced until the ninth inning where right fielder Chester Pak was able to draw a walk.
In the ninth, Pak was moved into scoring position thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Raslowsky. However, Brown was too dominant, as he struck out Akitoshi and picked off Pak to end the game.
Bumstead and Orona recorded the only hits for the CSUN offense and the Matadors have now lost three in a row for the first time all season.
The Matadors and Dirtbags conclude their three-game set on Saturday afternoon at Blair Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
