University Southern California Trojans
Baseball Beats Bruins in Opener, 6-3
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
March 5, 1999
WESTWOOD, Calif. - A four-run outburst in the fifth inning by the USC baseball team proved to be the difference as the Trojans defeated crosstown rival UCLA, 6-3, in a non-conference game at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday night.
USC, which improved to 7-11, has its first three-game winning streak of 1999 and won its first road game of the season after losing the first seven. UCLA dropped to 11-13. The two teams meet again in Westwood on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
With a 2-2 tie entering the top of the fifth, sophomore SS Seth Davidson singled through the right side and stole second. Senior RF Greg Hanoian and junior C Eric Munson both walked. Senior LF Jason Lane then hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in the first run.
After a walk to senior 2B Dominic Correa loaded the bases again, freshman 3B Beau Craig lined a two-run single through the right side. Correa went to third base, then later scored on a throwing error by the UCLA catcher.
USC's 6-2 lead was never completely safe, however, as the Bruins kept putting runners on base. But timely pitching by starting LHP Barry Zito (2-2) and four relievers caused UCLA to leave 13 runners on base for the game.
In the bottom of the ninth, senior RHP Justin Lehr faced a bases loaded, two-out situation, but struck out the final batter to preserve the win and earn his first save.
Craig was 2-for-4 and Davidson was 2-for-5 for the Trojans.
USC 110-040-000 --- 6-7-0
UCLA 000-200-100 --- 3-9-2
Zito, Immel (7), Flores (7), Montrenes (7), Lehr (9) and Munson.
Karp, Dersom (5), Diaz (9) and Green.
WP - Zito (2-2); LP - Karp (2-2); SV - Lehr (1).
