Softball: Not a lot of positives in last loss of year as CSUN tries to keep head up
May 12, 2012
After a 4-1 loss to UC Santa Barbara Saturday afternoon at Matador Diamond signaled the end of the most futile of seasons in CSUN’s history, catcher Mikayla Thielges pitched the idea that 2012 had been a worthy learning experience. “This season was not a waste at all,” she said. With the Mata...
Softball: Ready or not: Matadors face UCSB in season finale
May 9, 2012
When asked whether they wished the dreadful 2012 season was over already, there was consensus for the most part in the Matadors’ locker room. No. “I always want to play more games,” CSUN head coach Tairia Flowers said. Although on the tail end of a year that’s seen it only win 10...
Get to know … #4 Hayley Gurriell
May 9, 2012
Full name: Hayley Beth Gurriell Date of Birth: June 18th, 1992 Place of Birth: San Diego, CA Height: 5’4” Position: Attacker Year: Sophomore Major: Sociology FAVORITES Food: Pizza and chocolate Singer: Chris Brown Movie: Drumline Song: “Tell Me It’s Real” - K-Ci & JoJo Athlete: Stephan Hicks, CSUN baller LIFE One hurdle in lif...
Softball: CSUN to end 2012 with fewest victories since 1978
May 8, 2012
In order to avoid a historically infamous place in the CSUN record books, the Matadors needed to do something last weekend that historically had been but routine for them. CSUN needed to sweep UC Riverside – a team it had dominated in the all-time series, going 77-8 against it – to have a cha...
Softball: Pagano, Matadors go 0-2 against UCR to fall into tie for last place in Big West
May 5, 2012
RIVERSIDE – In a season full of struggles, hitting pitcher Mia Pagano has been the brightest spot for CSUN. So with the Matadors down to their last out and trailing by one in Game 2 of a Saturday doubleheader at UC Riverside, it wasn't strange to see head coach Tairia Flowers call upon the junior to save them. At least that's what it looked like. “Not necessarily ...
Softball: Looking to move up in standings, Matadors visit bottom-feeding Highlanders for three-game series
May 2, 2012
There’s no way around it. For the majority of 2012, the Matadors have not played well. Sunday’s 11-0 loss to Fullerton was an exaggerated illustration of how poorly the Matadors (10-36, 5-10 Big West) have struggled offensively at times this season. While the Titans hit the ball as if it had ca...
Weekly Column: Clippers’ dramatic comeback win against Memphis inexplicably brings out worst from some Laker fans
May 1, 2012
Haters. Sports inevitably have them. Where there are people rooting for a team or player, there are even more rooting against it or him. One needs to look no further than LeBron James. As great a player as he is, the number of people who dislike him by far exceeds the number of people who root hi...
Softball: Pagano makes comeback for Game 1 win, CSUN splits doubleheader against Titans
April 28, 2012
Three years into her career at CSUN, pitcher Mia Pagano had yet to do what she did Saturday to get a 5-2 win against the Titans. Getting relieved at the end of the sixth inning after having all but gift-wrapped the first game of a doubleheader at Matador Diamond moments before, Pagano had to g...
Softball: CSUN hopes turnaround starts with Titans series
April 25, 2012
No matter how many times the Matadors have lost this season, pitcher Brianna Elder isn’t used to the feeling of defeat. It stings her every time. “Losing is always difficult, I never really like to do it,” she said during a Wednesday practice. It’s not that she should be more acclimated to the feeling,...
Softball: Tough outs: UCLA’s offense too much for Matadors
April 18, 2012
Give credit to CSUN pitcher Mia Pagano. Asked about her team’s match-up at No. 15 UCLA, the junior said she looked forward to facing a team that came into the game batting .357 for the year. “We just need to stay confident and know that we can do it,” she said. The Matadors (8-32) couldn’t do it against the Bruins Wednesday...
Softball: Grand challenge: Matadors visit No. 15 UCLA
April 17, 2012
As Mia Pagano’s first grand slam of her life went over the left wall at Bob Janssen Field – pointing the way to a 4-0 CSUN win Saturday against Cal Poly – an array of emotions fluxed through her. “I didn’t even know how to react,” Pagano said. “(My teammates) were so excited for me. It was just the ...
Baseball: Matadors can’t keep up with Mustang bats in Game 2, split doubleheaeder
April 14, 2012
Thirty minutes after surviving a nerve-wracking slugfest of a Game 1 in which he pinch-ran a crucial run for CSUN (15-19, 3-5 Big West), pitcher Alex Muren got on the mound for Game 2 to make sure the Mustangs’ powerful offense was held in check at least once Saturday afternoon at Matador Field. Eight Cal Poly hits later, it was clear that offense dominating defense was going to remain the theme of the after...