University Southern California Trojans
Baseball Loses to Long Beach State, 9-7
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
February 19, 1999
LONG BEACH, Calif. - The No. 6 USC baseball team followed a familiar pattern on Friday night, falling behind early and almost coming back but falling just short. This time, the result was a 9-7 loss to No. 7 Long Beach State at Blair Field.
USC fell to 3-7, the team's worst start since 1982. Long Beach State improved to 4-3 in front of a crowd of 2,588, the third-largest attendance in the 49ers' history at Blair Field.
The two teams meet again on Saturday (Feb. 20) at Dedeaux Field at 1 p.m.
The 49ers scored two runs in the third inning (on a two-RBI home run by senior CF Terrmel Sledge), three runs in the fourth inning and two in the fifth inning to jump out to a 7-0 lead.
The Trojans made their move in the top of the seventh, scoring six times, though five of the runs were unearned. Junior C Eric Munson had an RBI single and senior LF Jason Lane slugged a three-run home run.
But thanks to an RBI double by junior 1B Jaeme Leal and an RBI single by freshman pinch- hitter Chris Wright, the 49ers scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to grab a 9-6 lead.
The Trojans weren't done yet, as they opened the ninth inning with three straight singles to load the bases with nobody out. But sophomore RHP Jeff Leuenberger, who went the final two innings to earn his first save, got a double-play groundout (which scored one run) and another groundout to end the game.
Lane went 3-for-5, as did senior RF Greg Hanoian for the Trojans. Munson had two hits for the seventh straight game. Long Beach State was led by sophomore OF Jeff Jones' 3-for-4 effort, and Leal's 2-for-4 with two RBI.
USC junior LHP Barry Zito (1-2) started and took the loss, while Long Beach State senior LHP Mike Gallo (2-0) went 6 2/3 innings and earned the win.
The Trojans, who have only had their complete starting lineup together for one game this season due to injuries, were without senior OF Brad Ticehurst, who has an injured groin muscle.
USC 000-000-601 --- 7-13-2
LBSU 002-320-02x --- 9-12-2
Zito, Kramer (5), Flores (8), Bruksch (8) and Munson.
Gallo, Merrill (7), Leuenberger (8) and Kennedy.
HR - USC: Lane (1); LBSU: Sledge (3).
