CSUN Allows 11-Run Inning in 14-6 WAC Loss to Sacramento

NORTHRIDGE — After Cal State Northridge stumbled to a 14-6 loss to Cal State Sacramento in a crucial Western Athletic Conference game at Matador Field on Sunday, the writing was on the wall for the Matadors.

The letters were somewhat blurry, but they appeared to spell out . . . The End.

“It (winning the division) won’t be easy,” said first baseman Jason Shanahan, who had four hits. “Nothing’s been easy all year. But it’s still possible.”

Sacramento (22-21, 9-9 in the WAC) put the game away by scoring a record-tying 11 runs in the seventh. The Hornets also put Northridge (22-24, 10-8) in a deep hole in the WAC West Division. With six WAC games remaining, the Matadors are 2 1/2 games behind first-place San Diego State.

Northridge lost two of three against Sacramento, marking the first time the Matadors lost a series at home in four seasons of NCAA Division I competition.

Sacramento’s 10-hit seventh broke by one the Northridge record for hits surrendered in an inning, set in 1961. The 11-run inning tied a Northridge record for runs allowed set in 1962.

Adding injury to insult, shortstop Chad Thornhill was hurt in a collision at first base. He left the field with his right arm in a sling.

Sacramento led, 3-2, entering the seventh. Northridge pitcher Marco Contreras (6-5) committed a fielding error on a bunt play with two on and none out, then forced home a run with a walk.

Jason Beeman--who hit for the cycle--tripled to clear the bases. Sacramento sent 17 batters to the plate in the inning.