Matthew Thomas, a junior outfielder for the CSUN Matadors, was picked by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft. This milestone capped a standout season in which he delivered clutch plays and earned All-Big West honors, capturing the attention of fans both in Corvallis and Northridge. Thomas' performance throughout the year highlighted the Matadors' overall success and marked a significant moment for the program.
CSUN rallies from seven runs down to defeat Michigan
On March 3, the Matadors staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in their 2026 season, erasing an 8-1 deficit against Michigan to take a 9-8 win at Robert J. Hiegert Field. Although CSUN opened the game with a 1-0 lead, the Wolverines mounted a comeback of their own. In the third inning, Michigan scored six runs, and in the fourth, two more to build a commanding 8-1 advantage. The Matadors' pitching staff, however, regrouped in key moments to keep the game in reach.
With the bases loaded and runners advancing, Kody King displayed poise, escaping a tight jam in the middle innings. Freshman Gage McCown also contributed in his first career appearance by recording a scoreless fifth inning. Meanwhile, the Matadors' offense remained relentless, starting the comeback in the fifth with a solo home run from Andrew Becker. The real surge came in the sixth, where the Matadors recorded five consecutive two-out hits.
This late-inning explosion included RBI triples from Matthew Thomas, Matthew Pena, and Trent Abel, along with a pinch-hit RBI double from Mateo Rickman. In the eighth, Abel delivered a game-tying solo home run, making the score 8-8. The Matadors' bullpen then took control, with Jaiden Turner and Jackson Banuelos ensuring the Wolverines didn’t regain the lead. The game eventually went into extra innings, where CSUN's hitting again proved vital.
In the 12th inning, Andrew Becker was hit by a pitch to begin the frame. A sacrifice bunt from Abel moved him into scoring position. This comeback win became the defining moment of the season, showcasing the Matadors' resilience and determination.
Matadors stun sixth-ranked Oregon State in 10 innings
On May 1, CSUN traveled to Corvallis for a three-game series against the sixth-ranked Oregon State Beavers, delivering yet another thrilling victory. Coleman gave the Matadors an early lead with a solo home run in the second inning, but Oregon State quickly responded with four runs over their next two innings. The Matadors' offense, however, refused to back down. In the fourth inning, Coleman struck again, hitting a two-run home run to cut the Beavers' lead to 4-3.
After Oregon State extended their lead, CSUN took the lead in the sixth when Mateo Rickman hit a go-ahead two-run home run, making it 6-5. The Beavers answered again in the seventh with a solo home run to tie the game at 6-6. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued into the late innings, with both teams trading momentum. In the eighth and ninth, CSUN freshman James Voorhies stepped up to the plate and delivered clutch pitching.
Voorhies recorded a pair of strikeouts in the eighth inning and then went on to pitch a scoreless ninth, sending the game into extra innings. In the 10th, key singles from Matthew Pena and Rickman set the stage for the Matadors. After loading the bases, Abel executed a perfectly timed squeeze bunt to bring in the go-ahead run. Kyle Panganiban added insurance with another run, and Voorhies closed the game with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th, securing an 8-6 win over one of the top teams in the country.
Thomas' season culminates in MLB Draft selection
Matthew Thomas, a junior transfer from Cal, put together an incredible season in 2026, leading the Matadors in doubles (21) and slugging percentage (.679), while also ranking second in the Big West in on-base plus slugging (1.090) and total bases (142). Thomas' contributions on the field were evident throughout the season, as he became one of the most consistent players in the Matador lineup and earned All-Big West First Team honors.
He also shared third in home runs (15) with teammate Matthew Pena, making him one of the top offensive threats in the conference. His season culminated on July 2026 when the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
According to GoMatadors.com, Thomas' selection marked a transformative year for the CSUN Baseball program, which saw a 10-win improvement over the previous season. His performances helped the team achieve memorable victories, including impressive wins over Power Four conference teams like Michigan and Oregon State. Thomas' success at the plate not only showcased his talent but also brought national attention to the Matadors.