Feb. 29, 2008

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, CA - The La Salle University Baseball team jumped out 2-0 and held several leads, but the host Cal State Northridge Matadors scored the last two runs of the game to take the first of four with the Explorers, 7-5, Friday at Matador Field.

John Malloy, who had three hits on the day, opened the contest with a single, then scored two batters later on an RBI single by John Rickards. TJ Chism then scored an unearned run later in the first and the Explorers led 2-0.

After surrendering three runs in the bottom of the third, La Salle took back the lead with two unearned runs in the top of the fourth. Shane Frangiosa singled with two outs, followed by a Malloy single. Frangiosa would score on an error and Rickards drove Malloy home again with another single.

Cal State Northridge (2-2) took a 5-4 lead with two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning before Malloy would tie the game in the top of the sixth.

The Matadors added a run in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead again, and added an insurance run in the eighth.

Ryan Juarez picked up his first win of the season, pitching 2.2 innings of relief, while Edwin Quirarte earned the save with a scoreless ninth. Sean Kennedy suffered the loss for the Explorers.

The two teams continue their series, Saturday, with a 4 PM start.