March 28, 2000
San Diego - The USC Trojans used a 15-hit attack and some solid relief pitching to defeat San Diego State, 11-4, at Tony Gwynn Stadium Tuesday night. The 16th-ranked Trojans improved to 20-9 on the year while the Aztecs fell to 18-16.
USC jumped on Aztec starter Ben Julianel for three runs in the first inning, two coming on a home run by catcher Beau Craig. However, SDSU answered back with four runs in their half of the first, getting the most out of their two hits.
The Trojans struck for three more in the top of the second with second baseman Anthony Lunetta delivering the big blow, a two-run double down the right field line that brought home the game-winning run. That blow chased Julianel from the game as the junior lefty suffered his second loss of the season.
USC's Ronald Flores, who had relieved starter Pete Montrenes in the bottom of the first, then threw 5 2/3 innings of scoreless ball followed by Tim Petke who finished the final 2 2.3 frames allowing just one hit.
In addition to Craig, USC also got home runs from Mark Prior and Rob Garibaldi. Justin Gemoll was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night with a pair of doubles and two RBI.
The Aztecs managed just seven hits, their fewest since they had the same total in a 7-6 loss at UCLA eight games ago.
SDSU now prepares for an important three-game Mountain West Conference series with league-leading Brigham Young. The Cougars visit Tony Gwynn Stadium for games on Thursday and Friday (March 30-31) at 6:00 p.m. and a contest on Saturday (April 1) at 2:00 p.m.
USC 11, San Diego State 4USC 331 102 010 - 11 15 2SDSU 400 000 000 - 4 7 1Montrenes, Flores (1), Petke (7) and CraigJulianel, Halpern (2), Dryden (4), Tolen (5), Minter (6), Garber (7), Mendoza (8), Skinner (9) and Roberts, Rosenthal (8)W - Flores (1-1)L - Julianel (3-2)SV - NoneHR - USC: Craig (13), Prior (1), Garibaldi (2)Time - 3:05Att - 593