University Southern California Trojans
Baseball Squad Falls to Arizona
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
March 20, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Arizona freshman RHP Ben Diggins went 8 1/3 strong innings to lead the No. 23 Wildcats to a 9-4 victory over USC in a Pacific-10 Conference game at Dedeaux Field on Saturday afternoon. A day after posting their biggest victory of the season, a 17-1 win over the Wildcats, the Trojans (13-14 overall, 4-1 Pac- 10) had their biggest margin of defeat in 1999. Previously, none of USC's losses had been by more than three runs.
Arizona improved to 20-10 overall, 3-2 Pac-10. Diggins had a no-hitter going for five innings before USC sophomore SS Seth Davidson singled in the sixth inning with no outs. By that time, the Wildcats had built a 7-0 lead, with all seven runs being scored with two outs. In the top of the third, junior C Dennis Anderson had a three-run triple down the right-field line to make it 3-0. An inning later, sophomore 3B Erik Torres lined a two-run double to make it 5-0. In the sixth inning, the Wildcats scored twice despite not getting a hit. USC finally scored in the bottom of the eighth as senior CF Brad Ticehurst launched a three-run home run to right field, making it 7-3. But the Wildcats scored twice more in the top of the ninth, as junior CF Troy Gingrich had an RBI double and sophomore SS Keoni DeRenne had a sacrifice fly. USC scored once in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly by senior RF Greg Hanoian, but couldn't get any closer. Diggins (5-1) gave up four hits, four runs and six walks while striking out nine. Junior LHP Steve Smyth (4-5) started for USC, lasted 3 2/3 innings and took the loss.
These two teams complete their three-game series on Sunday at Dedeaux Field at 1 p.m.
ARIZ 003 202 002 - 9 11 0 USC 000 000 031 - 4 4 2Diggins, Pemble (9) and Anderson.
Smyth, Petke (4), Flores (7), Montrenes (8) and Munson, Craig (7). WP -- Diggins (5-1) LP -- Smyth (4-5).
HR -- USC: Ticehurst (3).
