Matadors Have Their Say, Gauchos Have Last Word

NORTHRIDGE —  The things you’ll hear at a Cal State Northridge baseball game.

Everyone seemed to have their say--although not everyone was around to see the finish--as the Matadors lost their third consecutive Big West Conference game, 8-3, to UC Santa Barbara on Thursday at Matador Field.

Sophomore right-hander James Garcia (6-1), punctuating his performance with an occasional expletive, went the distance, striking out 11 and holding the Matadors to one extra-base hit.

Northridge Coach Mike Batesole, after twice challenging umpires’ decisions, was ejected in the seventh inning after a baserunner-interference call against Ryan Haag resulted in an inning-ending double play with Northridge trailing, 3-2.

There was plenty to discuss after the game, too.

Batesole held a lengthy team meeting in left field before heading for the clubhouse. Players continued the session for 10 minutes after his departure.

No need to panic. But reason for concern.

Northridge (23-14, 1-3 in the Big West) has 14 conference games to play, including the second of a three-game series against Santa Barbara (26-9, 1-0) today at Northridge.

“We just had to check in where we’re at,” first baseman Tim Arroyo said. “Everybody got to say something. Like just keep the frustration inside and don’t let it carry onto the field. Guys are getting frustrated and showing it a little too much.”

With the score tied, 2-2, in the third, Batesole emerged from the dugout after Robert Smith was called out on a foul-tip that appeared to have struck dirt.

In the seventh, Haag beat out a sacrifice bunt to put Northridge runners at first and second with one out. J.T. Stotts followed with a chopper to deep short that resulted in a force play at second and no relay by second baseman Chad Peshke.

Haag, however, interfered with Peshke and Stotts was called out to end the inning.

Batesole, after a lengthy appeal that included two trips from the dugout, got the boot. So did center fielder Eric Verbryke, who protested from the dugout.

“I don’t think it should have happened,” Batesole said. “The umpires never make the difference whether you win or lose. If you’re going to resort to that, then you’re pretty weak. The game is going to be decided by what we do and what we don’t do. And we didn’t do our job.”

Jeff Bannon gave the Gauchos the lead for good with a solo home run off Andy Davidson (5-2) in the sixth that snapped a 2-2 tie. Jed Stringham’s three-run homer off Mike Frick in the ninth made it 8-2.

Garcia, originally scheduled to start the second game of the series, worked efficiently, scattering nine hits. Haag’s two-run single with two out in the second gave Northridge a 2-1 lead. But Garcia held the Matadors in check, covering his face with his glove after making a bad pitch.

“I’m my own worst critic,” Garcia said. “I feel every time I pitch I have a chance to throw a complete game.”