University Southern California Trojans
Zito Strikes Out 16 -- Again -- as Trojans Romp, 17-1
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
March 19, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Junior LHP Barry Zito struck out 16 batters for the second straight week as the USC baseball team crushed No. 23 Arizona, 17-1, in a Pacific-10 Conference game on Friday night at Dedeaux Field.
USC, which won its season-high sixth straight, finally got its overall record back to .500 at 13-13. The Trojans are also 4-0 in the Pac-10 for the first time since 1987. Arizona fell to 19-10, 2-2.
Zito (4-2) went seven innings and allowed two hits, five walks and one run. The 16 strikeouts tied his career high, after also doing it in seven innings against Oregon State last Friday (March 12), and once as a 1997 freshman when he played for UC Santa Barbara. The 16 strikeouts are the most by a Trojan since at least 1987, as far back as USC records are currently available. In 45 2/3 innings this season, Zito has 68 strikeouts.
The USC bats complemented Zito greatly, as the Trojans posted their largest margin of victory since a 23-5 win at UC Santa Barbara on April 29, 1997. It was USC's biggest win over Arizona since a 19-2 win in 1930. USC collected season highs for runs (17) and hits (19).
Sophomore SS Seth Davidson and junior DH Carlos Casillas each had three hits for the Trojans. Senior RF Greg Hanoian, senior LF Jason Lane and senior DH Oscar Casillas all homered.
After scoring three runs in the bottom of the second, USC added seven in the bottom of the third frame, the big blows provided by senior 2B Dominic Correa's two-run single and Hanoian's three-run home run.
Zito had a no-hitter for six innings before Arizona junior C Dennis Anderson led off the seventh with an infield single and junior 1B Mike Meyer followed with a triple to right field, giving the Wildcats their only run of the game.
The two teams continue their three-game series on Saturday (March 20) at 1 p.m. The game will be televised live by FOX Sports Net.
ARIZ 000-000-100 --- 1-3-2
USC 037-012-04x --- 17-19-0
Pearce, Zlotoff (3), Capek (8) and Anderson.
Zito, Kramer (8), Lepe (9) and Munson.
WP -- Zito (4-2) LP -- Pearce (4-2).
HR -- USC: Hanoian (3), Lane (5), O. Casillas (1).
