NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN Matadors broke open a close game by scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning before claiming the 2017 season opener 6-0 over the Portland Pilots on Saturday afternoon at Matador Field.
The game remained scoreless for the first 3.5 innings before CSUN (1-0) got on the board with a solo homer from Kevin Riley over the left-field fence.
This came after Portland's (0-1) Kevin Wade nearly left the yard with a two-run shot in top half of the frame. With two out and Cody Hawken on second base, Wade drove a ball to deep center field, where it was caught at the wall by Justin Toerner, preserving the scoreless tie.