University Southern California Trojans
Lehr Pitches Shutout in NCAA First Round
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
May 28, 1999
LOS ANGELES - USC senior pitcher Justin Lehr scattered six hits and struck out 10 in a complete-game shutout as the No. 2-seed Trojans began the defense of their national championship by defeating No. 3-seed Virginia Commonwealth, 10-0, in an NCAA Regional first-round game at USC's Dedeaux Field in front of 1,148 on Friday afternoon.
Lehr's complete-game shutout was the first of his collegiate career and the first for USC this season. He walked only one batter and faced only six batters more than the minimum.
Offensively, USC's efforts were highlighted by a three-run home run from freshman third baseman Beau Craig and senior DH Oscar Casillas' 3-for-4 performance, which included a solo home run.
The Trojans (34-23) jumped out to an early lead with a four-run first inning that included an RBI double from senior left fielder Jason Lane and an RBI triple from senior second baseman Dominic Correa.
The Rams (40-19) had their best look at the game in the top of the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs, but Lehr got VCU catcher Cory Bauswell on a called third strike to end the threat. The Rams were led at the plate by first baseman Jake Anthony, who singled and doubled.
USC scored twice in the fourth and went up 7-0 in the sixth on Casillas' homer, his eighth. The Trojans put the game out of reach with two outs in the seventh on Craig's three-run blast, his fourth.
The Trojans will play the winner of the Pepperdine-Harvard game at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Rams will play the loser of the same game at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Both games are at Dedeaux Field.
VCU 000-000-000 - 0 6 1 USC 400-201-30x - 10 11 0Korn, Farkas (8) and Bauswell. Lehr and Munson.
WP - Lehr (7-2); LP - Korn (8-5). HR - USC: Craig (4), C. Casillas (8).
