University Southern California Trojans
Baseball Outslugs Long Beach State, 16-12
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
February 20, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Junior C Eric Munson's second home run of the day, a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning, broke a 12-12 tie and the No. 6 USC baseball team went on to defeat No. 7 Long Beach State, 16-12, on Saturday afternoon at Dedeaux Field in front of a crowd of 1,064.
The Trojans improved to 4-7, while the 49ers dropped to 4-4.
Every starter on both sides had at least one hit, as the teams combined for 28 runs and 34 hits in the three-hour, 42- minute game.
As has been the case for much of the season, USC fell behind early and had to play catch-up. After Munson hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first, the 49ers scored five runs in the top of the second to take a 5-1 lead. But the Trojans responded with four runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game, highlighted by a three-run home run by junior 3B Justin Gemoll.
Both teams continued to score, and after the 49ers' junior 1B Jaeme Leal knocked a two-run home run in the top of the fifth, Long Beach State held a 12-11 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, USC senior 2B Dominic Correa doubled, and following two outs, Gemoll singled him home for his fifth RBI of the day.
The Trojans then scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead for good. After the first two outs, senior RF Greg Hanoian walked, setting up Munson's two-run blast, which went on top of the parking structure in right field. Senior LF Jason Lane followed with a triple, then scored on a wild pitch.
Junior DH Carlos Casillas ended the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Munson, who has had at least two hits in eight straight games, went 3-for-5 for the Trojans, and Gemoll went 3-for-4. Long Beach State was led by Leal's 3-for-4 and senior CF Terrmel Sledge's 3-for-5.
USC sophomore LHP Steve Smyth (2-2) pitched the final three innings and earned the win.
USC and Long Beach State conclude their three-game series on Sunday (Feb. 21) at Blair Field at 1 p.m.
LBSU 051-420-000 --- 12-18-0
USC 142-401-31x --- 16-16-2
Ward, Kordich (4), Olenberger (5), Rohlicek (7), Alliston (8) and Kennedy.
Currier, Montrenes (3), Immel (4), Smyth (7) and Munson.
WP -- Smyth (2-2) LP -- Rohlicek (0-1)
HR: USC -- Munson 2 (6,7), Gemoll (2), C. Casillas (3); LBSU -- Leal (5).
