Feb. 9, 2005
LOS ANGELES - San Diego State failed to score for the second straight game as five USC pitchers shut out the Aztecs on eight hits while striking out 16 in a 6-0 Trojan win at Dedeuax Field Tuesday night. In the process, the Aztecs (0-4) dropped their fourth straight to begin their 2005 campaign. The contest was the season opener for Southern California.
The Aztecs matched USC's hit total on the night, but could not score despite putting two runners on with one out or less in the fifth through eighth innings.
The Trojans opened the scoring in their first at bat off SDSU freshman James Scott (0-1), who was making his first collegiate start. After retiring the first two batters in the first, Scott hit USC catcher Jeff Clement, gave up a single to Cyle Hankered and walked Baron Frost to load the bases. A balk to the next hitter brought home Clement with the games initial run.
USC added two more runs in the third. Leadoff hitter Matt Cusick's fly to left was lost in the lights by SDSU left fielder Garrick Evans for a single, and he scored on a double by Blake Sharpe. After Scott retired the next two Trojans on a fielder's choice and a strikeout, Sharpe scored on a passed ball.
The Trojans' fourth run came in the bottom of the sixth, when they put together a walk and a pair of singles, the final one an RBI hit to left by Daniel Perales.
San Diego State's best chance of the game had come in the top of the sixth when Clayton Carson and James Guerrero opened the frame with back-to-back single. However, USC pitcher Jack Spradlin struck out Brock Ungricht before inducing Tim O'Brien to hit into an inning-ending double play. Spradlin struck out a total of six Aztecs during his three innings of work.
USC's final two runs came in their half of the seventh on an RBI double by Jeff Clement and a run-scoring single by Baron Frost.
Aztec second baseman James Guerrero had three hits on the night as he upped his early-season batting average to .462. Senior Jake McLintock had a pair of hits in the losing cause.
The Aztecs return home on Friday (Feb. 11) to begin a three-game series with Santa Clara with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
USC 6, San Diego State 0SDSU 000 000 000 - 0 8 1USC 102 001 20x - 6 8 1Scott. Coon (6), Burkle (7) and SwaydanBannister, Spradlin (3), Koss (7), Kalter (8), Kennedy (9) and ClementW - Bannister (1-0)L - Scott (0-1)Sv - NoneHR - NoneTime - 2:41Att. - 702