Matadors Try to Make a U-Turn on the Road

Cal State Northridge opens a three-game series today against perennial baseball power Oklahoma State at Stillwater, Okla.

The teams play Saturday and Sunday.

Sophomore right-hander Mike Frick (2-4), who leads the Matadors with 50 strikeouts, is expected to start today for the Matadors (12-19), who are coming off a 6-4 victory over nationally ranked Long Beach State.

Northridge and Oklahoma State have met four times since 1992. Oklahoma State (15-12) holds a 3-1 series lead.

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Adrian Mendoza, Northridge’s top power hitter, appears to be emerging from a midseason slump.

Mendoza, whose averaged dipped below .300 last week, has six hits in his last 12 at-bats, including two doubles and a home run.

Mendoza is batting .340 and leads Northridge with six home runs, 25 runs batted in and a .575 slugging percentage.

Bobby Koba, who replaced injured Eric Horvat at second base, has five hits in his last 13 at-bats, including a home run.

Horvat is expected to be sidelined another four weeks because of a broken wrist.

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Northridge hosts Cal State Sacramento this weekend for a three-game Big West Conference softball series.

The teams play a doubleheader Saturday at noon and finish the series Sunday at noon.

Northridge (15-16) is 5-1 in the Big West, a game behind first-place Cal State Fullerton. Sacramento is 5-11, 0-3.

Junior pitcher Sarah Farnworth of Northridge leads the Big West with 28 appearances, 21 starts, 166 innings and four saves.