Northridge Pitchers on the Move

NORTHRIDGE —  Benny Flores and Erasmo Ramirez, pitchers who combined for 43 victories at Cal State Northridge the last two seasons, informed Matador Coach Mike Batesole Friday night that they will transfer to either Cal State Fullerton or Long Beach State.

Flores and Ramirez, both left-handed juniors, cited the uncertainty of the Northridge program and their disappointment at the team not gaining an at-large berth to the NCAA Division I tournament as reasons for their decision.

Division I baseball players may transfer once without losing eligibility. Northridge gave both players releases Friday and they will meet with Long Beach Coach Dave Snow today and with Fullerton Coach George Horton on Monday.

Those schools have two distinct advantages for Flores and Ramirez: They belong to a conference--the Big West--and the baseball programs are not in danger of being cut.

Northridge will remain an independent next season despite efforts to join the Big West, and baseball is one of five men’s sports that might be cut to meet gender equity and budget requirements.

“All the heat about whether Northridge will have a program or not, plus it became obvious you have to be in a conference to make the regionals, that made my decision,” Flores said. “I want to get to the next level.”

So does Ramirez, a close friend of Flores’. They made their decision together and they walked side by side into Northridge Athletic Director Paul Bubb’s office Friday to get their releases.

There was no resistance from Bubb or Batesole.

“I’m so close with them that whatever they decide to do is OK with me,” Batesole said. “One thing I’ve pounded into their heads is to trust your instincts. That’s what they’re doing, so I’m not going to try to make them stay for goodness sakes.”

Flores and Ramirez would like to transfer to the same school, but they have not ruled out parting company. Neither figures to be drafted high enough next week to sign a professional contract.

Flores, who attended El Dorado High, lives in Placentia; Ramirez, who went to Saddleback High, lives in Santa Ana.

“It’s not like we are a package deal,” Ramirez said.

It’s an attractive package, nevertheless.

“We’ve been given permission to talk to them and we have every intention of doing it,” Titan Coach George Horton said.

Flores was 11-3 with a team-leading 3.09 earned-run average this season after going 7-2 with a 3.75 ERA as a sophomore. Ramirez was 11-5 this year with a 4.98 ERA and defeated six nationally ranked opponents. He was 14-1 and an All-American as a sophomore.

The pair were key to Northridge posting a record of 94-38-1 the last two seasons, including a 42-20-1 mark this season. Northridge lost in the West Regional final last season.

Times staff writer Lon Eubanks contributed to this story.