Northridge Pitchers Transfer to Fullerton

FULLERTON — Cal State Northridge hasn’t lost its baseball program yet, but it did lose its top two pitchers Monday when left-handers Benny Flores and Erasmo Ramirez committed to Cal State Fullerton for their senior seasons.

Flores and Ramirez, who combined for 43 victories at Northridge, announced 11 days ago that they planned to transfer based on the uncertainty of the Northridge program, which might be eliminated this week, and their disappointment that the Matadors were not selected for an NCAA at-large bid last season despite a 42-20-1 record as an independent. They also considered Long Beach State and USC.

Fullerton has made 19 regional appearances in 23 years, including six in a row, and has reached the College World Series four times in the 1990s.

“We’re really excited to have them, and we think they’ll have a big impact on our chances of success next year,” Titan Coach George Horton said after receiving an oral commitment from both players.

Flores was 11-3 with a team-leading 3.09 earned-run average last season, and was the winning pitcher when Northridge eliminated Stanford in the NCAA West Regional at Stanford in 1996. Flores was 7-2 with a 3.75 ERA as a sophomore.

Ramirez was 11-5 with a 4.98 ERA this season after going 14-1 with a 3.74 ERA two years ago. He had victories this season against Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCLA, Clemson and Oklahoma State. He also lost a 2-1 game at Wichita State after pitching 9 1/3 innings.

“We’re really happy that we are going to be able to stay together,” Ramirez said. “We’ve been the best of friends for the last three years. Benny helps me and I help him, and we learn from each other. Fullerton has a great program, and we were attracted to that.”

“I’m excited,” Flores said. “It should be a perfect opportunity for us to make it to a regional and possibly the World Series next year.”

Times staff writer Steve Henson contributed to this story.