BERKELEY, Calif. – The USC baseball team faced a five-run deficit heading into the ninth inning and nearly erased it on the road, but Cal was able to hold off the Trojans for a 9-8 win.
 
USC still won the series after taking the first two games of the weekend, moving to 7-11 overall and 2-1 in Pac-12 play. Cal moves to 9-8 overall and 1-2 Pac-12.
 
Cal broke what looked like a pitchers duel open in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to take a 6-1 lead. The Trojans responded immediately, however, with Trevor Halsema, CJ Stubbs and Ben Ramirez all singling home runs in the top of the seventh to make it a 6-4 game.
 
After that it was Cal's turn to land a haymaker, when Cole Elvis drilled a three-run shot to left to once again make it a five-run game.
 
Following a scoreless eighth, Jamal O'Guinn led off the ninth with a solo homer to left and from there the rally was on. Tyler Lozano singled home a run and Tyler Pritchard drew a bases-loaded walk to make it a 9-7 game. Blake Sabol would hit a sacrifice fly to make it 9-8 and bring the tying run to third base. USC couldn't complete the comeback, however, as the next two batters flied out.
 
USC had eight different players drive in runs in the game and four players record multi-hit games.
 
TOP PERFORMERS

• Ben Ramirez was 4-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and run scored.
• CJ Stubbs was 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored.
• Blake Sabol posted two hits with an RBI and run scored.
• Emilio Rosas came off the bench to go 2-for-3 with an RBI.

 
COMING UP
The Trojans host Long Beach State on Tuesday, before heading up to Washington next weekend for more Pac-12 action.