Cook Helps Northridge Sweep San Diego : College baseball: Former Montclair Prep standout belts three hits, including a three-run homer, to pace the Matadors’ 12-4 win.

Keyaan Cook couldn’t have asked for a better homecoming.

With family and friends in the stands at Matador Field, the transfer from Louisiana State belted a three-run home run and a run-scoring double Sunday to lead Cal State Northridge to a 12-4 victory over the University of San Diego in the Matadors’ home opener.

The nonconference victory gave Northridge (3-0) a sweep of the three-game series with the Toreros (4-2).

The Matadors, who trailed, 1-0 and 4-2, took the lead for good with a four-run fifth inning that featured Cook’s double and a two-run single by left fielder David Prosenko.

Northridge increased its lead to 9-4 with a three-run seventh inning, courtesy of two Torero errors, three walks by reliever Chris Collins, and the only hit of the inning--a bunt single by Andy Hodgins that died inside the third base line.

One fan brought a broom, but an umbrella would have been more useful as the Matadors added three runs in the rain-soaked eighth. Catcher Mike Sims and center fielder Joey Arnold drew leadoff walks and one out later, Cook, the designated hitter, lashed a 2-and-2 pitch over the left-field fence.

“It was a fastball, but it acted like a slider,” Cook said of the sidearm pitch by Collins. “I didn’t swing that hard. I was looking to go the other way. I was just happy to be up with people on base.”

With the home run, his first, and two other hits, Cook improved his batting average to a team-leading .461 and tied Chris Olsen with a team-high five runs batted in.

A two-time all-state selection for Montclair Prep, Cook left the San Fernando Valley to play at LSU. As a freshman in 1991, he started 24 games and batted .276 but lost his starting job midway through the Tigers’ NCAA championship season.

Last spring, Cook, the brother of New Orleans Saint cornerback Toi Cook, was supplanted by LSU freshman All-American Todd Walker and batted only 32 times.

Initially, his decision to transfer to CSUN was nearly as frustrating. At the beginning of fall drills, he was unable to run three miles in the requisite 22 minutes. Consequently, he was banned from hitting against live pitching and participating in intrasquad scrimmages.

Although Cook, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior, eventually broke 22 minutes, he fell behind and was beaten out for the starting second base position by Olsen.

“I can’t wait to play second base, but everything is all right now,” Cook said. “Our fielding is fine.”

Indeed, the Matadors have recorded six double plays and have not committed an error this season.

Although his role is limited--at this point--to offense, Cook has no regrets.

“I think it was good I came here,” he said. “My parents get to see me play and I love Northridge.”

After his experience last fall and at LSU, he is willing to be patient.

“I guess that’s what this game is all about,” Cook said.

His teammate, Prosenko, also knows the value of patience. He went into Sunday’s game as the only hitless Northridge starter and emerged with two hits, including a bunt and the game-winning single.

A senior from San Jose who missed all but seven games last season because of a broken thumb, Prosenko hit a chopper up the middle in the fifth, driving in Jason Shanahan and Cook to give the Matadors a 6-4 lead.

“I was just looking for something I could put through the infield,” Prosenko said. “It was a changeup that I was able to punch through.”

Shanahan, Hodgins and Andy Small also had two hits for the Matadors, who are batting .304.

Unlike the first two games against San Diego, CSUN did not get a complete game from its starter, Evan Howland, who pitched 4 2/3 innings.

But aside from giving up seven walks, the freshman from El Camino Real High acquitted himself well in his college debut, according to Coach Bill Kernen.

“He did a creditable job,” said Kernen, who replaced Howland with Johnny Najar after Howland walked in a run, giving San Diego a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

Najar, a transfer from Fresno State, walked his first batter to force in another run.

Thereafter, Najar was impressive, striking out six and giving up only four hits for his first win as a collegian.

“As the game went on, he got better and better,” Kernen said. “He sat on the bench at Fresno State for two years, so he’s not a freshman, but it’s really his first time out.”