RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — Gabriel Hernandez delivered another dominant start and the Cal State Northridge offense erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to power the Matadors to a 9-6 victory over the UC Riverside Highlanders on Thursday night at Riverside Sports Complex.

The win improved Northridge to 19-13 overall, while Riverside fell to 8-24.

Hernandez, the Matadors’ top star, set the tone with a commanding performance on the mound. The right-hander carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and finished with a final line of 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing three runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits while striking out four. He retired the first eight batters he faced before Robert Pitts broke up the no-hitter and the shutout with a solo home run in the second inning.

The Highlanders scratched out a second run in the third on a wild pitch, but Hernandez otherwise stifled the Riverside lineup, working around traffic with the help of two double plays.

While Hernandez dealt, Northridge built a 2-0 lead early against Riverside starter Joshua Torres, who was effective in his five innings of work. The Matadors scored in the first on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Becker and added another in the sixth before the floodgates opened.

The decisive top of the sixth inning saw the Matadors send 12 batters to the plate against relievers Adrian Blanchet and Marco DiGirolamo. The inning was prolonged by two critical Highlander errors. After a single and an error put runners on the corners, Cameron Calvillo drove in the first run of the frame with a single. Matthew Thomas followed with an RBI single, and Becker added another run-scoring hit. Vaughn Coleman capped the outburst with a two-run double down the left-field line, part of a six-hit, seven-run inning that saw all seven runs cross the plate with two outs, turning a tight 2-1 contest into a 9-1 rout.

The Highlanders showed late fight against the Northridge bullpen. They scored once in the seventh on an RBI single by Jarren Sanderson. Then, in the ninth, trailing 9-3, Sanderson launched a three-run homer to center field off reliever Gage McCown, bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle. Northridge called on Jaiden Turner, who needed just one pitch to induce a pop-up from Jaxon Byrd to shortstop, sealing the victory and stranding the potential tying run in the on-deck circle.

Sanderson finished 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs to lead the Highlanders’ 12-hit attack. Pitts was 2 for 4 with his solo homer. For the Matadors, Becker went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Coleman drove in two runs with his key double. Northridge out-hit Riverside 13 to 12.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly Northridge’s seven-run sixth inning. It transformed a tense, pitcher-dominated game into a comfortable lead, capitalizing fully on Riverside’s defensive miscues and providing an insurmountable cushion that withstood the Highlanders’ late rally.

The two teams continue their three-game series Friday at Riverside Sports Complex.