Cal State Northridge (13-6) scored three runs in the top of the first inning to take the early lead, but SeattleU answered in the bottom of the inning as Doug Buser (Orinda, Calif.) walked, stole second and advanced to third when the throw from Matador catcher Dominic Piazza sailed into the outfield, and scored on a grounder by Josh Kalalau (University Place, Wash.).
The Matadors did most of their damage in the third and fourth innings. Ryan Pineda led off the top of the third with a home run, and doubles by Dominic D'Anna, Justin DeMarco, and Nate Ring drove in three runs. Back-to-back singles by Ridge Carpenter and Drew Muren followed by a SeattleU error sent home three more runs, and D'Anna hit a two-run home run over the right field fence for his second home run of the weekend.
In the fourth inning, Piazza and Carpenter notched back-to-back RBI singles, and a grounder by Billy Swanson that was mishandled loaded the bases. Pineda proceeded to hit a grand slam to left-center field for his second home run of the game and third of the weekend. A single by D'Anna and a walk by C.J. Belanger kept the pressure on, but Redhawk reliever Joey Pulitano (Lake Stevens, Wash.) induced a flyout and a strikeout to end the inning.
The Redhawks came closer throughout the rest of the game, scoring two runs in the fourth, a single run in the fifth, two runs in the seventh, and two run in the ninth. Kalalau finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and one run batted in, and Nate Roberts (Silverdale, Wash.) finished the game 2-for-5 with a run scored and four runs batted in.
After Matador starter Alex Muren was lifted after allowing four walks and a run in 1 2/3 innings, Justin Gorski came on in relief and pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs, and was credited with the victory. Brian Shannon (Olympia, Wash.) lasted 2 2/3 innings as the SeattleU starter, taking the loss after allowing ten hits and ten runs.
Seattle University (3-15) will finish off the six-game homestand this week, as the University of Washington makes the short drive to Bannerwood Park Tuesday, March 23, for a 6 p.m. game, followed by a game against Pacific Lutheran Thursday, March 25, beginning at 4 p.m. Live audio with Dan Giuliani and Drew Samuelson will be available on GoSeattleU.com along with live stats.