Written by Grace DeWitt, USC blog contributorÂ
No. 2 seed USC baseball kicked off the road to Omaha today against No. 3 seed University of Virginia at Lake Elsinore Stadium. Despite outstanding pitching from junior RHP Kyle Davis, the Trojans dropped their opening game and now are looking to bounce back as they face elimination.
The fast-moving game started with an incredible diving catch deep in left field by redshirt junior Bobby Stahel. The Trojans' great fielding combined with Davis for one of his most impressive performances of the season, a no-hitter through the first six innings that included two strikeouts.
"Kyle pitched an unbelievable game," said senior captain Garrett Stubbs, who added that he was quick to commend his teammate's efforts after the game.
Though USC began the game with two singles from Stubbs and sophomore first baseman Jeremy Martinez, the Trojans didn't capitalize on opportunities at the plate. Stubbs and Martinez did add to the Trojans' hit tally with another set of singles in the sixth.Â
But it was Virginia, the 2014 College World Series runner-up, who put the first points on the board late in the game. The Cavaliers scored two runs in the seventh to end Davis' hot streak and followed with another run in the eighth inning to bring the score to 3-0. Martinez finally ended the shutout in the bottom of the eighth inning, hitting a single into left field to bring in Stubbs.Â
Virginia added on to its lead with three runs in the ninth inning to defeat USC, 6-1.Â
Despite the loss, the Trojans were hopeful about the rest of the weekend as they now face elimination. "I do know this about our team," said coach Dan Hubbs. "We're pretty resilient."Â
Hubbs recalled the team's closing weekend against Arizona State, hinting that he hoped for a similar result this weekend. The Trojans followed a Friday loss to the Sundevils with back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday. Stubbs expressed similar optimism. "I think we play better when our backs are against the wall," he said.Â
The head coach added that he felt comfortable with how things stood. "I think you're gonna see the Trojans show up tomorrow and be just fine."
USC plays again tomorrow at 3 p.m. PT against the winner of San Diego State vs. UC-Santa Barbara, the second of Friday's games.
