Northridge Turns It Up in Victory Over Titans

NORTHRIDGE —  Erasmo Ramirez watched the Cal State Northridge team he abandoned defeat the Cal State Fullerton team he has embraced, 8-6, Wednesday, but he wasn’t taken aback.

“The intensity those guys dished out didn’t surprise me,” said Ramirez, who along with fellow left-handed pitcher Benny Flores transferred to Fullerton when Northridge temporarily dropped baseball in June.

“They were hungrier than we were today. It was that simple.”

Northridge (16-17) had 13 hits, including three home runs, against four Titan pitchers. Ramirez and Flores, the staff aces, were held out to pitch this weekend against Long Beach State.

They weren’t the only players with ties to the opposing team, however. Certain Matadors took particular pleasure in the outcome.

Second baseman Nakia Hill, who left Fullerton after batting .357 last season because of conflicts with coaches, is one. Hill hit an eighth-inning home run to give Northridge its two-run lead and made two acrobatic defensive plays.

“I’m a lot happier here and there are no personal grudges, but this victory is a little sweeter,” he said.

Right-handed pitcher Tim Baron, told his scholarship would not be renewed after pitching 29 2/3 innings as a Fullerton freshman, is another. Baron allowed only one hit before his control escaped him in the fourth and three walks set up a grand slam by Greg Jacobs that tied the score, 6-6.

A third player thinking payback was shortstop Marco Estrada, who couldn’t win a starting position at Fullerton in the fall and transferred to Northridge. He had two hits, and his single to open the sixth led to the eventual winning run.

Although his team’s eight-game winning streak came to an end, Fullerton Coach George Horton felt an odd satisfaction in the loss.

“That is the purity of the game,” he said. “Nakia, Marco and Timmy wanted it more than our guys and were rewarded with success. That’s refreshing.”

Left-hander Jeff Martin (5-2) shut out Fullerton (18-7) over the last 3 1/3 innings, which served as retaliation even though he has never worn a Titan uniform. He gave up a home run and took a 6-4 loss to Fullerton March 3.