NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — A Chester Pak two-run single in the third inning proved to be the difference as Cal State Northridge defeated Utah Valley 4-3 Saturday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at Matador Field.
The Matadors (8-12) held a 4-0 lead until the sixth inning when starter Calvin Copping ran into trouble. Copping hit a batter, gave up a Baltimore chop single and walked a batter to load the bases. After two runs scored against reliever Oscar Sandoval, Michael Coates entered with the bases loaded.
Coates’ first pitch went to the backstop, cutting the lead to 4-3, but following a walk, Coates got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat and keep Northridge ahead.
Josh Goossen-Brown recorded the final three outs to close it out and collect his third save. Goosen-Brown also had two hits and an RBI. He played a part in the Matadors’ first run as well. After Goossen-Brown reached on an error that kept the inning alive, Nate Ring delivered an RBI single.
In the third inning, Kyle Attl executed a hit-and-run beautifully to put runners on the corners with no outs. Miles Williams struck out, but Goossen-Brown laid down a bunt single when the pitcher slipped. Two batters later, Pak delivered a hit into right field that scored two.
Check out the 17-shot photo gallery from Saturday’s first game:
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