University Southern California Trojans
Baseball Takes Over First Place in Pac-10
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
April 23, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 15 USC baseball team took over sole possession of first place in the Pacific-10 Conference with a 9-5 victory over No. 19 Arizona State on Friday night at Packard Stadium.
The Trojans (27-19, 13-3) moved one game ahead of Stanford, which lost at California, 11-9. Arizona State dropped to 32-16, 8-8.
Senior 2B/RHP Dominic Correa had a big game for the Trojans, going 4-for-5 at the plate with his eighth home run and three RBI. He also struck out the final batter of the game to earn his first save.
Junior LHP Barry Zito (9-2) continued to roll, winning his eighth straight start and improving to 6-0 after six Pac-10 starts. He went 6 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts and gave up six hits, three walks and four runs.
ASU had a 3-1 lead going into the top of the fourth but Correa launched a two-run homer to right field to tie the game.
The Trojans made it 6-3 in the top of the fifth. The first run scored on a wild pitch, and later Correa lined an RBI single into left field. A second run scored when the leftfielder misplayed the ball.
An ASU solo home run cut USC's lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth.
In the top of the eighth, USC got two unexpected runs. With two out and two runners on, freshman C Beau Craig's routine fly ball was dropped by the centerfielder, scoring both runners.
USC added its final run in the top of the ninth as senior LF Jason Lane doubled, stole third and scored on a passed ball.
ASU threatened in the bottom of the ninth, scoring once and putting runners on first and third with two out, but Correa came in to get the final batter out.
The series continues on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
USC 001-230-021 --- 9-8-0
ASU 102-010-001 --- 5-7-2
Zito, Montrenes (7), Correa (9) and Craig.
Friedberg, Perio (4), Milner (5), Waldrip (6), Williamson (8), Switzer (8), Hatch (9) and Pratt.
WP - Zito (9-2); L - Perio (0-1); SV - Correa (1).
HR - USC: Correa (8); ASU: Bloomquist (7), Beinbrink (12).
