USC Clinches Series Over Ducks With 3-1 Victory

Sunday, April 17

Los Angeles, Calif.

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

17-16, 2-7

USC

15-20, 6-6

Oregon

USC

KC Serna, Baseball 2011 vs. Wichita State, March 25 Credit Eric Evans

Photo by: GoDucks.com

04/17/11 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

LOS ANGELES – For the second consecutive game, the bottom of the eighth proved problematic for Oregon, and the Ducks failed to answer in the ninth as USC clinched the series over the Ducks with a 3-1 victory on Sunday at Dedeaux Field.

Like Saturday, the bottom of the eighth was troubling for the Ducks. With the game tied 1-1, Oregon brought out right-hander Kellen Moen in relief of Scott McGough and the Ducks' closer issued a leadoff walk to Joe De Pinto. Moen was charged with a balk, and a wild pitch moved De Pinto to third with no outs.

Alex Sherrod then blasted a double-down the right field line that plated De Pinto and scored the game-winning run. USC added some insurance as designated hitter Brandon Garcia drove a sacrifice to left scoring Sherrod for the Trojans' third run.

With the loss, Oregon (17-16, 2-7) loses its third consecutive series, while USC (15-20, 6-6) wins its second consecutive Pac-10 series.

In the top of the eighth, USC starter Logan Odom issued a one-out walk to Stefan Sabol , and plunked Ryan Hambright with two outs to put runners on first and second. With Shawn Peterson approaching the plate, USC went to its bullpen and brought out right-hander Chad Smith. The Trojans' closer struck out Peterson on a 3-2 delivery to keep the game knotted at 1-1.

Smith returned to the hill to lead off the ninth and struck out Jack Marder . He delivered ball two to pinch-hitter Kyle Garlick , and had to be removed from the game with an injury.

Right-hander Ben Mount came on in relief and retired Garlick for out number two before issuing a walk to KC Serna . Oregon's Danny Pulfer then flew out to right for the final out of the game.

Smith (1-2) was credited with the win while Mount earned his fourth save of the season.
In the no decision, Odom tossed seven and 2/3 innings surrendering just one run while allowing seven hits. The native of Central Point, Ore., issued two walks, plunked two batters and struck out five.

The Ducks left nine runners on base totaling seven hits on the day, while USC scored three runs on 12 hits.

Oregon starter Alex Kuedell left the game in the seventh and in the no decision held USC to just one run despite allowing 11 hits. The Portland native walked no one and struck out three in his fourth quality start of the year.

Oregon took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third after Serna drove a one-out double into right center. Pulfer fought back from a 0-2 count to record his eighth straight hit in the series and drive in Serna with a single up the middle.

USC tied the game in the fourth as De Pinto hammered a ball to deep right center that was tracked down by Aaron Jones , but UO's freshman right fielder was not able to hold on to the ball as he hit the ground on a diving grab. Matt Foat then drove a sacrifice fly to deep center field to tie the game 1-1.

Oregon missed a golden opportunity to score in the top of the fifth as the Ducks loaded the bases with one out. With Pulfer approaching the plate on an eight-consecutive hit streak, Odom recovered to strike out Pulfer swinging, before Brett Thomas fielder's choice led to J.J. Altobelli being called out at third.

McGough took over on the hill for Keudell after the right-hander gave up back-to-back one out singles in the bottom of the seventh. McGough kept USC off the board striking out Garret Houts and retiring Ricky Oropesa to left field.

The Ducks are playing nine games in 11 days and have started that stretch 2-2. Oregon returns home for five home games this week beginning with San Francisco at 1 p.m. tomorrow PK Park.

Notes: Danny Pulfer has reached safely in 19 consecutive games and has recorded hits in 17 of those contests… Pulfer batted .643 (9-for-13) in the series, including a streak of eight consecutive hits from his final at-bat in Friday night's win to striking out with the bases loaded in his third at-bat of the day in the top of the fifth on Sunday…Oregon's double-digit hit streak ended at four games.