University Southern California Trojans
Baseball Loses to Cal State Fullerton, 6-5
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
February 18, 1999
LOS ANGELES - USC senior 1B Justin Lehr hit a two-run home run to spark a ninth-inning rally, but it wasn't enough as the No. 14 Cal State Fullerton baseball team edged out the No. 6 Trojans, 6-5, in a non-conference game on Wednesday night at Dedeaux Field.
The Trojans fell to 3-6 overall while the Titans improved to 5-3.
Down 6-3 entering the ninth, USC freshman CF Brian Barre singled to lead off the inning. After the first out, Lehr hit a shot to dead center field to bring the Trojans to within one run. After the second out of the inning, junior LF Chris Ponchak reached second on an error. But junior 2B Justin Gemoll hit a weak comebacker that Fullerton catcher Craig Patterson scooped up and threw to first for the final out of the game.
The Titans opened the game with four runs in the top of the first inning after loading the bases against Trojan starter Steve Smyth. The big hit was junior SS Ryan Owens' single to right centerfield that scored two runs. Fullerton added runs in the fourth and fifth innings on an RBI double by junior LF Spencer Oborn -- who had three hits on the evening -- and an RBI single by Owens -- his second hit of the night.
Trailing 6-0, USC would score its first run in the fifth on an RBI single by Correa, then added two runs in the bottom of the seventh as Craig had an RBI single and another run scored on a wild pitch.
Fullerton sophomore LHP Jon Smith (1-0) went 6 1/3 innings for his first victory of the season, surrendering only one run on four hits while striking out nine. Smyth (1-2) took the loss for USC, giving up six runs on 11 hits and striking out five and walking three.
USC next meets Long Beach State in a three-game series this weekend. The first game is Friday (Feb. 19) at Blair Field in Long Beach at 7 p.m.
CSUF 400-110-000 --- 6-13-1
USC 000-010-202 --- 5-9-1
Smith, Hanlon (7), Saarloos (7) and Gates, Patterson (9).
Smyth, Petke (5), Montrenes (8) and Munson.
WP -- Smith (1-0) LP -- Smyth (1-2) SV -- Saarloos (2)
HR: USC -- Lehr (2).
