1958: USC Wins its Second Title in Thrilling Fashion
May 02, 2018 | Baseball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
As we continue to #celebr8 all five of the USC College World Series Championships won on years ending with 8 (1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1998), we got a chance to sit down with Trojan legend Don Buford to talk about the 1958 squad, which won the second of USC's 12 total NCAA titles.
Both a USC Trojan Hall of Famer and World Series Champion with the Baltimore Orioles, Buford certainly has no shortage of baseball memories. Despite his many accomplishments, he still regards the Trojan victory in the 1958 College World Series as one of the most exciting moments in his career.
The Trojans went 5-1 at the 1958 CWS, losing only to Holy Cross in the opening game, 3-0. USC fought its way back through the losers' bracket to claim the crown, making it only the second team in CWS history to accomplish that feat (Texas did it previously in 1950).
The Trojans rebounded from the loss to beat Arizona, 4-0; Colorado State, 12-1; and Holy Cross, 6-2. USC then had to defeat Missouri twice to claim the championship. In the first game, with no score entering the ninth inning, the Trojans exploded for seven runs. With the support of Bill Thom's three-hitter, USC defeated the Tigers, 7-0, forcing one final game.
Then, in one of the most exciting championship games in baseball history, USC beat Missouri, 8-7 in 12 innings, after trailing, 4-0. Third baseman Mike Blewett won the game for USC with a single to right field in the bottom of the 12th that sent outfielder Rex Johnston home from third with the winning run. Thom (the tournament MVP) pitched 4 2/3 scoreless relief innings to get credit for the win. USC first baseman Ken Guffey went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
The 1958 squad finished the season 28-3, losing just two regular season games to Cal and the one contest in the CWS.
Many Trojans from that thrilling 1958 team went on to have distinguished careers both on and off the field, with three of the most notable names being, Buford, Dodger great Ron Fairly and MLB Hall of Fame executive Pat Gillick.
Buford treasures his memories of his time at USC and continues to be an involved and valued member of the Trojan Family, returning often for USC's annual alumni game, including this past January when he picked up a pair of hits just a couple weeks shy of his 81st birthday.
Both a USC Trojan Hall of Famer and World Series Champion with the Baltimore Orioles, Buford certainly has no shortage of baseball memories. Despite his many accomplishments, he still regards the Trojan victory in the 1958 College World Series as one of the most exciting moments in his career.
The Trojans went 5-1 at the 1958 CWS, losing only to Holy Cross in the opening game, 3-0. USC fought its way back through the losers' bracket to claim the crown, making it only the second team in CWS history to accomplish that feat (Texas did it previously in 1950).
The Trojans rebounded from the loss to beat Arizona, 4-0; Colorado State, 12-1; and Holy Cross, 6-2. USC then had to defeat Missouri twice to claim the championship. In the first game, with no score entering the ninth inning, the Trojans exploded for seven runs. With the support of Bill Thom's three-hitter, USC defeated the Tigers, 7-0, forcing one final game.
Then, in one of the most exciting championship games in baseball history, USC beat Missouri, 8-7 in 12 innings, after trailing, 4-0. Third baseman Mike Blewett won the game for USC with a single to right field in the bottom of the 12th that sent outfielder Rex Johnston home from third with the winning run. Thom (the tournament MVP) pitched 4 2/3 scoreless relief innings to get credit for the win. USC first baseman Ken Guffey went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
The 1958 squad finished the season 28-3, losing just two regular season games to Cal and the one contest in the CWS.
Many Trojans from that thrilling 1958 team went on to have distinguished careers both on and off the field, with three of the most notable names being, Buford, Dodger great Ron Fairly and MLB Hall of Fame executive Pat Gillick.
Buford treasures his memories of his time at USC and continues to be an involved and valued member of the Trojan Family, returning often for USC's annual alumni game, including this past January when he picked up a pair of hits just a couple weeks shy of his 81st birthday.
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs OSU, NCAA Regional Round)
Monday, June 02
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs SMC, NCAA Regional Round)
Saturday, May 31
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs TCU, NCAA Regional Opener)
Friday, May 30
Baseball - USC 10, Washington 4: Highlights (05/17/25)
Saturday, May 17
