April 23, 2002
Los Angeles - USC scored six time in the eighth inning to overcome a two-run deficit and went on to defeat San Diego State, 10-8, at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles Tuesday evening. The loss ended SDSU's four-game winning streak as the Aztecs saw their record fall to 33-14. The Trojans improved to 25-14 on the year.
San Diego State scored five times in the second inning to counter a solo home run in the opening frame by USC's Alberto Concepcion. The Aztecs put together three hits and a walk, and were aided by two Trojans errors during their five-run outburst. The big hits in the inning were a two-RBI single by left fielder Ryan Wilson and a double by Taber Lee that scored a pair of runs.
USC began its comeback in the third when it touched up reliever Daryl Harang, on in relief of starter Erik Fiedler, for three runs on a single by Brian Barre, double by Michael Moon, a fielder's choice, and a two-run homer by Bill Peavey.
From that point, the game remained scoreless until the top of the eighth when SDSU added what appeared to be an insurance run that began with a leadoff single by Carlo Cota. Jon Stephens moved Cota to second with a sacrifice bunt, and he advanced to third on a balk by USC hurler Jon Williams. Freshman Jake McLintock then lifted a fly to deep center to bring Cota home and give SDSU a 6-4 advantage.
The Trojans began their half of the eight with three consecutive singles off reliever Joe Carque to draw within a run. After a sacrifice fly knotted the score, USC loaded the bases with two outs and scored the go-ahead run on a steal of home by pinch runner Michael Morales. Three batters later, designated hitter Joey Metropoulos hit a bloop single to left with the bases loaded to bring home a pair of runs, and before it was over, the Trojans had a 10-6 lead.
SDSU added a pair of runs in the ninth on a Josh Hill single, an RBI double by Lee, and a fielder's choice by Garrett Cook. But it was too little too late as Carque (6-2) was saddled with his second loss of the season. USC's Jon Williams picked up the victory to up his record to 5-2.
Taber Lee was the hitting star for the Aztecs, going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, three RBI and a run scored. No other SDSU player had more than one hit on the night.
Up next for San Diego State is a return to Mountain West Conference play as it hosts second-place Utah in a three-game series beginning Friday (April 26) at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The series will mark the final homestand of the 2002 season for the Aztecs, and they will use it to honor head coach Jim Dietz as he coaches his final weekend series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
USC 10, San Diego State 8SDS 050 000 012 - 8 8 0USC 103 000 06x - 10 12 2Fiedler, Harang (3), Hartshorn (3), Carque (6), Ring (8), Moat (8) and ManfredHowell, Rummonds (3), Williams (8), Campos (9) and ConcepcionW - Williams (5-2)L - Carque (6-2)Sv - NoneHR - USC: Concepcion (1st-none on), Peavey (3rd-one on)Att. - 319Time - 3:11