NCAA DIVISION II WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK : Colorful Play-by-Play as Showy as a Peacock

The assault that Cal State Northridge hitters have waged on opposing pitchers has inspired some creative writing by Mike Peacock, who types out the official play-by-play for media covering the NCAA Division II World Series.

A few of Peacock’s one-liners from Northridge’s 18-5 decision over New Haven on Tuesday:

On Eric Johnson’s fly ball to right that was dropped for an error:

“Johnson hits a rocket into the gap in right center, but (Tim) Burrows is there, reaches up, and swats it away from him like a mosquito.”

On the next play, a home run by Mike Solar: “Solar taps into one of his power cells and launches a BOMB over the scoreboard in left, 3-run dinger.”

On a bouncer hit by Mike Sims that went for a single: “Sims bounces a blind man’s dog to right (seeing-eye single).”

Peacock also had some fun describing a few of the outs.

On a Scott Sharts strikeout victim: “(Adrian) Clark gives the Charger dugout a nice breeze as he whiffs at strike three.”

On a wild pitch, Peacock wrote that the runner moved up on a “savagely uncouth hurl.”

However, the night’s classic was saved for CSUN’s 21st hit of the game. When Solar made the score 13-3 by blasting his second home run of the night, Peacock wrote: “Solar rips the corona off that “ball” as it leaves a vapor trail leaving the park. There is a brief delay in the action as a brawl is occurring around the bat rack in the Matador dugout.”

Peacock was using poetic license, of course, but only in moderation. The Matadors did, indeed, look eager to hit.

Prolific production: After totaling only 10 hits in its two victories over UC Riverside in the West regional, Northridge has scored 36 runs on 49 hits in its two World Series games.

The Matadors have 37 singles, four doubles, a triple, seven home runs and a batting average of .505. In addition, CSUN has been on the receiving end of 14 walks and a hit batter.

Northridge will play Lewis today at 1:30 PDT at Paterson Field. Lewis eliminated New Haven, 3-2, on Wednesday.

Scheduled to pitch for CSUN is Vale Lopez (11-4), who allowed three runs on 11 hits in eight innings when the Matadors defeated Lewis, 18-5, in their opener Sunday.

Lopez, a senior right-hander, has won his past eight decisions.

Injury report: Third baseman Denny Vigo, second on the team with 19 home runs and and third with 58 runs batted in, is listed as questionable for today’s game.

Vigo was held out of practice Wednesday after pulling up with a hamstring injury after singling in the sixth inning against New Haven.

Vigo was examined by a trainer from Troy (Ala.) State on Wednesday. The injury was diagnosed as a tear in the muscle just above Vigo’s right knee. Coach Bill Kernen said he likely will hold Vigo out of today’s game.

“We’ll have to see how much better it gets, and how fast,” Kernen said. “We may just use him as a pinch-hitter, or maybe not at all.”

Kernen said either Craig Clayton or Andy Hodgins will move from the outfield to third base. Both made appearances at the position in the late innings Tuesday.

Vigo was in an 0-for-15 slump entering the New Haven game, but he was three for three with a walk before pulling up lame.

New experience: Northridge’s 18-5 rout of New Haven was only the Chargers’ fourth loss of the season.

It came in a fashion New Haven had not experienced. The Chargers’ other losses were all by one run.

“It can be humbling,” Kernen said. “I remember Cal Lutheran. You just go, ‘Holy . . .’ ”

Cal Lutheran, an NAIA team, beat CSUN, 18-3, in February.

Super sub: In appearances as a substitute in both of CSUN’s World Series games, Kyle Washington is four for four with three singles and a three-run home run.

In four pinch-hitting appearances during the regular season, Washington was one for four.

“I sit there and I see everybody else hitting, so when I get a chance to get in there, I want to make the most of it,” said Washington, a part-time starter. “I’m just trying to be consistent like the rest of the guys.”

Police blotter: Montgomery police reported Wednesday that they had no leads in the theft of personal belongings from the hotel rooms of several members of the Northridge baseball team Tuesday night.

Cassette disks, a cassette player, two watches, a diamond earring, a wallet and various items of apparel were reported stolen by players and coaches.

The thefts occurred between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (PDT) on Tuesday while Northridge was at Paterson Field for its game against New Haven.

The rooms were locked and someone apparently used a key to gain entrance, a police spokesman said.

Montgomery Police Sgt. Ricky Moore said his department will keep tabs on local pawn shops in an effort to track the stolen merchandise.