USC Comes From Behind Late To Take Game 2

Friday, April 10

Los Angeles, Calif.

6:30 PM

University of Oregon

12-19, 2-6

USC

16-14, 6-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Oregon Ducks	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	3
USC	0	1	0	0	1	0	4	4	X	10	8	0

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

04/11/09 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

LOS ANGELES - Mistakes from Oregon's defense and free bases issued by the pitching staff allowed USC to come from behind on Friday night at Dedeaux Field and walk away with a 10-3 victory as well as the series win.

The Ducks led for the first six-and-a-half innings of the game after tagging USC starter Andrew Triggs (3-1) for three runs in the first and second, but the right-hander held Oregon (12-19, 2-6) scoreless for the rest of the contest pitching his first complete game of the year. Triggs ended his outing allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six.

The Trojans (16-14, 6-5) offense then pieced together back-to-back four-run innings in the seventh and eighth to take the lead for good.

Trailing 3-2, USC took advantage in the seventh after Oregon reliever Bennett Whitmore issued a lead off walk to Mike O'Neill and surrendered a single to Anthony Vasquez, before intentionally walking Ricky Oropesa to load the bases. But like Oregon starter Erik Stavert, Whitmore had an issue with his control and walked in the game-tying run in Robert Stock, before being relieved by righty Zack Thornton.

With Thornton on the mound, USC proceeded to put the game-winning runs on the board and took a 6-3 lead after an error from KC Serna on what could have been a double-play ball, allowed Vasquez to cross the plate for the go-ahead run. Billy Pinkerton then laced a RBI single to right allowing Oropesa to score, and a throwing error from Kenny Bartz brought Stock across the plate.

Oregon committed three errors in the game and issued 10 free bases on seven walks and three hit batters in the loss.

After taking a 6-3 lead, USC added four more runs in the eighth after a two-run single from Vasquez and a two-run homer to right from Stock.

Vasquez was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Stock was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Whitmore (1-5) took the loss for the Ducks, pitching 2 and 1/3 innings, and allowing four runs, three earned, on three walks and just one hit. The Clovis, Calif., native came on in relief for Stavert in the fifth.

It was an uncharacteristic outing for Stavert. The junior entered the game with a 3-2 record and 37 strikeouts compared to just 16 walks in 47.1 innings on the mound, but on Friday night the right-hander lasted just four innings, surrendering two runs on three hits and four walks while fanning five.

Oregon tagged Triggs early led by Caleb Tommasini. The Ducks leadoff hitter sent the first pitch of the game into left field and Curtis Raulinaitis followed with a double down the left field line, leaving runners on second and third for Eddy Rodriguez. The junior's groundout RBI scored Tommasini for Oregon's first run of the game, and two batters later Danny Pulfer ripped an RBI single through the right side bringing home Raulinaitis for the Ducks second run.

Freshman Colby Sokol added another run to Oregon's lead in the second with a solo home run - the first of his collegiate career. The Ducks' designated hitter hammered the second pitch of his at-bat over the Dedeaux Field scoreboard in right center.

Raulinaitis led the Ducks again with a 2-for-4 performance.

Oropesa hit his second home run of the series - sixth of the season - to right center in the bottom of the second to get USC's first run on the board and cut Oregon's lead to 3-1.

The series finale is set for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at Dedeaux Field. Fans can listen to the broadcast on KUGN 590 or the O-Zone. Live stats will also be available on www.GoDucks.com.

Notes: Oregon scored first for the first time since its 2-1 victory over Stanford on April 3...the Ducks also scored in the first inning for the first time since a 10-5 loss to Sacramento State on March 24...USC has now won five in a row...the Ducks have lost three in a row.