Northridge Scores Even Dozen in 1 Inning Against Grand Canyon

PHOENIX —  The records will show that Cal State Northridge didn’t score an earned run against Grand Canyon College on Sunday. However, that is not to say Matador hitters didn’t cause a considerable amount of damage.

Scott Sharts, Denny Vigo and Eric Johnson all hit home runs as the Matadors scored 12 times in the second inning to complete a three-game sweep of Grand Canyon, 15-7.

Grand Canyon committed six errors, all of which directly contributed to Northridge runs.

“That was the ugliest 15-7 game I’ve ever been involved with,” CSUN Coach Bill Kernen said. “We hit the ball good that one inning, but after that, we just kind of limped home.”

The biggest--although certainly not the longest--hit of the day was contributed by Mike Sims, the last batter in the Northridge order.

Sims’ two-out, two-strike single to left field drove in the Matadors’ first two runs in the second inning, sparking an outburst that tied a four-year-old school record for most runs in an inning.

In all, Northridge sent 15 batters to the plate in the inning. After the second out, the next 10 Matador hitters reached base safely on three home runs, a double, three singles and three walks.

Highlighting the inning for Northridge were back-to-back home runs by Sharts, his second of the season, and Vigo.

Vigo’s blast, on a full-count pitch, sailed high over a 40-foot net that extends above the left-field fence at Brazell Stadium.

A three-run home run to right by Johnson off reliever Doug Kimball capped CSUN’s scoring in the inning.