With one out, Brad Decater hit a slow grounder to third base that Josh Kalalau (University Place, Wash.) grabbed on the run, but his throw was wide of the first base bag. After C.J. Belanger was hit by a pitch, Billy Swanson came on to run for Decater at second base. Marty Bowen sent a two-out double down the right field line that scored Swanson.
Down 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, SeattleU started its comeback when Steve Kirbach (Kirkland, Wash.) was hit by a pitch and reached second on an error by Decater. Riley Tompkins (Lynnwood, Wash.) walked to load the bases, and Sean Narby (Auburn, Wash.) followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Kirbach. Mike Malland (Mukilteo, Wash.) reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Kalalau to score.
In the seventh inning, the Redhawks took advantage of more Matador mistakes, as Nick Latta (Tacoma, Wash.) reached on another Decater error and moved to second on a passed ball. Doug Buser (Orinda, Calif.) sacrificed Latta over to third base, and Nate Roberts (Silverdale, Wash.) brought him in with a sacrifice fly to center field that tied the game at 4-4.
Each team threatened to score in the 11th inning, with Cal State Northridge using a walk and a single to put runners on first and third with one out. However, Bowen lined into a double play to quickly end the threat. In the bottom of the 11th, singles by Latta and Roberts put runners on first and third for the Redhawks, but a lineout by Kirbach forced the game to continue.
Cal State Northridge (10-6) struck first in the top of the second inning, as Belanger and Justin DeMarco each notched singles with two outs. Dominic Piazza walked to load the bases, and Nate Ring drew a walk of his own to score Belanger. SeattleU responded in the third inning when Buser singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild throw by Piazza, and scored on a ground out by Roberts.
The Matadors scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning, chasing SeattleU starter Brandon Kizer (Marysville, Wash.) after the sophomore allowed six hits, four walks, and four runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. Max Whieldon (Trabuco Hills, Calif.) pitched 6 2/3 innings of relief, but took the loss by putting the runner on in the 13th inning that eventually scored the winning run.
Ryan Juarez started for Cal State Northridge, pitching six innings and giving up two hits, three walks, and three runs. Bryan Longpre ended up with the victory after two innings of relief in which he gave up two hits and one walk while striking out two batters. Billy Ott earned the save for the Matadors after giving up just one hit in the final inning.
Seattle University (3-12) continues its four-game series against Cal State Northridge with a doubleheader Saturday, March 20, beginning at 1 p.m.