Clips
Jeff Welsch: In hoops, the '80s and '90s probably aren't coming back, and that's OK
Another draining factor: The Big Sky didn't help when it kicked its appealing mountain brand to the curb in the late 1980s and went money-lusting for Portland State, Sacramento State, Cal Davis, Cal State-Northridge and Cal Poly. They're all credible schools, but none have the cachet to lure folks out on a blizzardy night the way Boise State, Idaho and Nevada-Reno did when the league was an intimate eight teams. -- Independent Record - MT
Softball notes: Surprising Marina aiming for Surf League championship
The infield features sophomore third baseman Briana Gonzalez, senior shortstop Nicole Logrecco, sophomore second baseman Taylor Lane and Cal State Northridge-bound senior Shayla Thomas at first base. -- Orange County Register
Zach Smith 2nd-Round 66 Helps Put UCSB Into Lead at Santa Barbara Collegiate
Senior Zach Smith carded a tournament best 6-under par 66 in the Monday's second round, to lead Santa Barbara back from its spot at the bottom of the standings. Smith, who shot a 1-over par 73 in Monday's first round, finished the day at 5-under par and in second-place, one shot back of Tomas Helgo from Cal State Northridge. -- Noozhawk
Postseason awards: All-Mid-Major Madness Third Team
Believe it or not, an individual season of historic proportions occurred on a sub-.500 team in the Big West this season. That’s right. Cal State Northridge’s Diane was one of 71 players (since 1992) to average over 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game. His 818 points were 10th-highest in that span, which was more than Blake Griffin, Deandre Ayton, Paul Millsap and Tim Duncan could say. Armed with a nose for rebounding and an impossible-to-guard turnaround jumper, the redshirt freshman turned in a highly-decorated Big West Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year campaign. But he could get even better. Although the AP Honorable Mention All-American gained a bit of NBA Draft buzz, he’s a refined jumper away from being a surefire lottery pick. — Kyle Cajero -- Mid-Major Madness
No. 2 Long Beach frustrates No. 1 Hawaii in volleyball again
Both the 49ers and second-seeded Rainbow Warriors (25-2, 8-2) have byes into Friday’s semifinals. Long Beach will face the winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal between fourth-seeded UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Northridge while Hawaii takes on the winner of third-seeded UC Irvine and UC San Diego. -- Honolulu Star-Advertiser - HI
He’s the Mets’ Mr. Mitt. But Jeff McNeil’s Most Important Possession Is His Bat.
Troy Buckley, the baseball coach at Long Beach State, was the ultimate beneficiary of McNeil’s transition back to baseball. Unable to secure a golf scholarship, McNeil played baseball for the California Wahoos in a scout league after his junior year of high school and committed to California State University, Northridge, even before suiting up for Nipomo High as a senior. But the Northridge coaching staff was fired before McNeil ever made it to campus. In turn, Northridge recommended McNeil to Buckley, who watched him play for one weekend and offered him a scholarship. McNeil was now a Long Beach State Dirtbag. -- The New York Times
High School Female Athlete of the Week: Costa Mesa’s Katie Belmontes speaks softly and carries a big stick
In less than four years of playing the sport, Belmontes carved out an opportunity for herself at the next level. She is committed to play for Cal State Northridge next year. -- Daily Pilot
CWPA Women’s Water Polo Top-Ten Entering Home Stretch of 2019 Season
At #9, the Aggies of UC Davis (16-10; 2-2) finally broke into the Top 10 for the first time this season, thanks to a recent four game win streak that including victories over #9 UC Santa Barbara, #12 Long Beach State and #15 Harvard. That winning burst was terminated last Sunday by UC Irvine, but the Aggies are hoping to start a new streak tomorrow against Big West foe, #23 California State University-Northridge (CSUN)—which will be promptly ended by Stanford, which hosts UCD next Friday. -- Swimming World Magazine
Burbank baseball shut out in nonleague loss to Village Christian
Village Christian’s starting pitcher and San Diego State-bound Danny Veloz went six innings, struck out six, walked one and gave up two hits. Crusaders reliever and Cal State Northridge commit Tobias Plotkin struck out all three batters he faced at the bottom of the seventh. -- Burbank Leader
Matadors Return Home for 3-Game Set Against UC Riverside
NORTHRIDGE – California State University, Northridge, returns home for the first time since March 24 when the Matadors host UC Riverside. -- SCV News