USC
2-1
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Western Michigan
1-2
Trojans Take Series Behind Hot Bats and Cornwell's Dazzling Debut
February 16, 2020 | Baseball, Features
The win gives USC a series victory and moves the Trojans to 2-1 on the year, while the Broncos fall to 1-2.
Cornwell, who was hampered by injuries the last two seasons, tossed 5.2 innings, giving up three hits and two runs. The lefty allowed just three baserunners and one hit through his first five innings of work, with both of his earned runs coming after he exited the game. Cornwell struck out six batters and walked two, while giving up three hits on the day.
The Trojan offense once again exploded for 14 runs on 16 hits as the game was never really in doubt after the first four innings. USC jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, added another run in the third and then broke things open with five runs in the fourth.
Ben Ramirez led the way with a pair of homers on the day, his first being a two-run shot in the second inning to make it 4-0. Ramirez's second was a solo-shot in the seventh.
The five-run fourth inning came courtesy of RBI singles by John Thomas and Tyresse Turner, along with several errors by the Bronco defense.
Western Michigan would score three runs in the sixth inning after Cornwell exited, but that was is for the Bronco offense on the day. Ethan Reed tossed a scoreless seventh and Ethan Hoopingarner set down six straight batters to end the game.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Alex Cornwell threw 5.2 innings, giving up three hits and two runs, while striking out six batters and walking two. Cornwell set down 10 straight batters at one point during the game to move to 1-0.
- Ethan Hoopingarner struck out five of the six batters he faced to toss two perfect innings.
- Ben Ramirez was 3-for-4 at the plate, with two homers, three RBI and two runs scored. He also drew a walk and had a single. It was the first two-homer game of Ramirez's career.
- Rhylan Thomas went 2-for-4 at the plate, driving in a run and scoring once.
- Brady Shockey had two hits, including a double, and scored twice.
- Ben Wanger came off the bench to go 2-for-2 at the plate and score a run.
UP NEXT
The Trojans head south to San Diego next weekend for the Tony Gwynn Classic hosted by San Diego State. USC will face Seattle on Friday, Southern Illinois on Saturday and SDSU on Sunday.
.@USCCoachGill after another complete win for the Trojans. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/b3KQetoToE
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) February 16, 2020
Hear from @alexcornwell14 after his dazzling debut on the mound. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/LM9dfRGUsX
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) February 16, 2020
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Cornwell, Alex (1-0)
L: THORINGTON, Tyler (0-1)
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Batting:
RBI: DOYLE, Gavin 1 ; O'KEEFE, Sean 2
Base Running:
RUNS: MCINTYRE, Justin 1 ; CHARPING, Connor 1 ; HUDSON, Logan 1
SB: MCINTYRE, Justin 1
HBP: MCINTYRE, Justin 1 ; CHARPING, Connor 1
Batting:
2B: O'Guinn, Jamal 1 ; Shockey, Brady 1 ; Halsema, Trevor 1
HR: Ramirez, Ben 2
RBI: Thomas, Rhylan 1 ; Ramirez, Ben 3 ; Owens, Clay 1 ; West, Bart 1 ; Thomas, John 1 ; Turner, Tyresse 1
SH: O'Guinn, Jamal 1 ; Thomas, John 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Thomas, Rhylan 1 ; Ramirez, Ben 2 ; O'Guinn, Jamal 2 ; Olmstead, Johnny 1 ; Wanger, Ben 1 ; Shockey, Brady 2 ; Thomas, John 1 ; Pritchard, Tyler 2 ; Lozano, Tyler 2
SB: Pritchard, Tyler 2 ; Lozano, Tyler 1 ; Turner, Tyresse 1
HBP: O'Guinn, Jamal 1 ; Pritchard, Tyler 1
