A Season of Upsets and Breakthroughs
The 2025‑26 campaign marked a turning point for CSUN Baseball, as the Matadors surged to a 10‑win improvement over the previous year, reshaping expectations in the Big West Conference.
A March 3 showdown with Michigan illustrated the team’s resilience; after falling behind 7‑0, CSUN rallied to a 9‑8 victory, highlighted by Matthew Thomas, Matthew Pena and Trent Abel each delivering RBI triples that swung the momentum.
Trent Abel’s clutch solo homer in the eighth inning tied the game, forcing extra innings, while Vaughn Coleman’s single in the 12th produced the winning run, underscoring the team’s depth in high‑pressure moments.
The Matadors then turned their attention to a top‑ranked opponent, stunning sixth‑ranked Oregon State 8‑6 in a 10‑inning thriller on May 1. Matthew Thomas led the offense with a double and a key RBI, while James Voorhies closed the ninth with two strikeouts to send the game to extras.
In that extra‑inning battle, Matthew Pena and Mateo Rickman each launched go‑ahead home runs, and Trent Abel executed a squeeze bunt in the 10th to score the decisive run, followed by Kyle Panganiban adding another tally to extend the lead.
Beyond single games, Thomas finished the season atop the Big West in doubles (21) and slugging percentage (.679), while also pacing the conference in OPS (1.090) and total bases (142). His 15 home runs tied him for third in the league, and his .335 batting average placed him fifth overall.
The offensive firepower extended to Matthew Pena, who contributed crucial go‑ahead homers, and to Trent Abel, whose versatility shone in both clutch hits and strategic bunts. Together with teammates like Vaughn Coleman and Kody King, the lineup delivered a balanced attack that powered the team’s surge.
All‑Big West recognition reflected the squad’s breadth of talent, with five players earning conference honors, including Thomas, Pena and Abel. Their performances helped CSUN defeat two Power Four conference teams, a feat that cemented the program’s rising stature.
The season’s highlights culminated in the MLB Draft, where Matthew Thomas was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round, becoming the highest‑drafted Matador since Lucas Braun in 2023 and the 107th player from CSUN to be drafted in school history.
Thomas’s draft placement, alongside his All‑Big West First Team accolade, underscored a breakthrough year for the program and set the stage for future talent pipelines, as the Matadors look to build on a foundation of resilience, clutch performances, and rising star power.