Northridge Finds Team It Can Beat

Cal State Northridge seems to have found a cure for its woes in the Hawaii baseball tournament--New Mexico.

The Matadors defeated the Lobos, 5-1, in a consolation semifinal Saturday in Honolulu. It was only the second victory in six tournament games for the Matadors, both against New Mexico.

The Matadors (23-14-1) dropped their first three games in the six-team tournament and were 1-4 after round-robin play, but will play in the third-place game today.

Northridge scored five runs in the fifth inning against New Mexico’s J.C. Ortiz (0-5). Cesar Martinez was three for three with two runs batted in.

Northridge’s Jason Cole (3-3) pitched six innings, allowing one run and six hits. He struck out three.

Bryant Fick, Gary Stephenson and Britt Cornwell of Northridge combined for three innings of one-hit relief. Cornwell picked up his first save of the season.