Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics
Mustangs Open 28th Big West Season at Home Against CSUN
3/14/2024 5:30:00 PM | Baseball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — This weekend, the Mustangs (8-8) kick off their 28th year in the Big West against one of the earliest and most played opponents in program history: the CSUN Matadors.
With a 6-3 record in March leading up to the conference slate, Cal Poly Baseball prepares to prove the doubters wrong after being predicted to finish 7th place by the Preseason Coaches Poll.
In 2023, Cal Poly went 11-19 against Big West opponents, including a 1-2 series loss against the upcoming Matadors. Even so, the beginning of 2024 has been trying but fruitful as the Mustangs are playing at a much higher level and with more success than last season.
Cal Poly earning its first series win against a Big-Ten team in program history on top of scoring 19 runs twice in five days has helped turn fortunes around.
For yet another week, Cal Poly has managed to drastically improve its team statistics with the batting average sitting at .272 while the bullpen is pitching at a 3.96 ERA. The Mustang defense now ranks 34th for ERA in Division I, 25th for K/BB ratio, 35th for WHIP, and 20th for BB/9.
These are primarily led by Saturday starter Steven Brooks who is 29th in Division I with a 0.84 WHIP while holding an astounding 8.33 K/BB ratio.
Jake Steels continues to hit at an unreal pace, surpassing last week's Big West Field Player of the Week for sole possession of first in the conference with a .441 batting average, also good for 40th in Division I.
Ryan Fenn has also been on a tear, especially carrying the offense through the 19-7 win over UNLV. Fenn was a home run away from hitting for the cycle while becoming just the 7th Mustang in program history with a five-run game and the 20th to collect five hits.
In somewhat opposite fashion to Cal Poly, CSUN (9-7) started the season off with nine wins in its first eleven games but have lost five straight to incredibly tough competition. The Matadors have lost by more than two runs just once in that stretch, playing #6 Oregon State close three-of-four games before narrowly falling to San Diego, a program that recently beat a ranked Texas squad.
A consistent lineup has featured for CSUN with its usual starters all hitting above a .200 clip. Where the Matadors truly excel is on the base paths, successfully stealing 24 of its 33 attempted bases, which is 2nd in the conference.
CSUN is led by Big West mainstay and graduate student Jakob Simons. The reigning Big West Co-Field Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team honoree leads his team with a .328 batting average, 20 runs, 19 hits, 8 home runs, 48 total bases, and .828 slugging.
On the defensive side, the Matadors are top-100 in Division I for double plays while right-handed junior Thomas Bainton has been lights-out as their Saturday starter. Bainton currently carries a 2.14 ERA and has not allowed more than 5 hits or 2 earned runs in any of his four outings.
With a 6-3 record in March leading up to the conference slate, Cal Poly Baseball prepares to prove the doubters wrong after being predicted to finish 7th place by the Preseason Coaches Poll.
In 2023, Cal Poly went 11-19 against Big West opponents, including a 1-2 series loss against the upcoming Matadors. Even so, the beginning of 2024 has been trying but fruitful as the Mustangs are playing at a much higher level and with more success than last season.
Cal Poly earning its first series win against a Big-Ten team in program history on top of scoring 19 runs twice in five days has helped turn fortunes around.
For yet another week, Cal Poly has managed to drastically improve its team statistics with the batting average sitting at .272 while the bullpen is pitching at a 3.96 ERA. The Mustang defense now ranks 34th for ERA in Division I, 25th for K/BB ratio, 35th for WHIP, and 20th for BB/9.
These are primarily led by Saturday starter Steven Brooks who is 29th in Division I with a 0.84 WHIP while holding an astounding 8.33 K/BB ratio.
Jake Steels continues to hit at an unreal pace, surpassing last week's Big West Field Player of the Week for sole possession of first in the conference with a .441 batting average, also good for 40th in Division I.
Ryan Fenn has also been on a tear, especially carrying the offense through the 19-7 win over UNLV. Fenn was a home run away from hitting for the cycle while becoming just the 7th Mustang in program history with a five-run game and the 20th to collect five hits.
In somewhat opposite fashion to Cal Poly, CSUN (9-7) started the season off with nine wins in its first eleven games but have lost five straight to incredibly tough competition. The Matadors have lost by more than two runs just once in that stretch, playing #6 Oregon State close three-of-four games before narrowly falling to San Diego, a program that recently beat a ranked Texas squad.
A consistent lineup has featured for CSUN with its usual starters all hitting above a .200 clip. Where the Matadors truly excel is on the base paths, successfully stealing 24 of its 33 attempted bases, which is 2nd in the conference.
CSUN is led by Big West mainstay and graduate student Jakob Simons. The reigning Big West Co-Field Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team honoree leads his team with a .328 batting average, 20 runs, 19 hits, 8 home runs, 48 total bases, and .828 slugging.
On the defensive side, the Matadors are top-100 in Division I for double plays while right-handed junior Thomas Bainton has been lights-out as their Saturday starter. Bainton currently carries a 2.14 ERA and has not allowed more than 5 hits or 2 earned runs in any of his four outings.
Players Mentioned
Cal Poly vs. Pepperdine, Baseball Highlights -- Mar 3rd, 2026
Wednesday, March 04
Cal Poly vs. Washington State, Baseball Highlights -- Feb 21st, 2026
Sunday, February 22
Cal Poly vs. UCR, Baseball Highlights -- May 17th, 2025
Sunday, May 18
Cal Poly vs. UCR, Baseball Highlights -- May 16th, 2025
Saturday, May 17
