May 10, 2005
SAN DIEGO - Roberto Lopez's three-run homer keyed a six-run rally as USC scored broke open a tight contest and went on to defeat San Diego State, 10-6, Tuesday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Aztecs led twice in the early going, but the Trojans were able to answer back each time SDSU forged a lead.
The win lifted the 21st-ranked Trojans to 29-15 on the season. San Diego State saw its three-game win streak ended as its record fell to 21-29.
The Aztecs took an early 2-0 lead in the second as center fielder Quintin Berry lined a two-out bases-loaded single up the middle off USC starter Jack Spradlin. But the Trojans came back in the next inning to tie the contest on a two-run double by catcher Jeff Clement off SDSU starter Brett Douglas.
Two innings later, SDSU scored three times on four hits to make it a 5-2 contest. A bases-loaded fielder's choice by second baseman Sam Pepper was followed by an RBI single from Berry and a bases-loaded walk to Brock Ungricht.
The visitors closed to within a run with two in their next at bat. Aztec reliever James Scott gave up run-scoring hits to Billy Hart and Baron Frost to make the score 5-4.
In their seventh-inning barrage, USC rallied for their six runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batter off Aztec hurlers Dan Bruckart and Jared Suwyn. Bruckart, who gave up the game-winning homer to Lopez, was tagged with the loss to fall to 0-3.
A trio of Trojan relievers held the Aztecs to one run on five hits over the final 5.1 innings, with Freshman Anthony Encinas picking up the win to improve to 4-3.
The Aztecs' final run in the contest came in the eighth when James Guerrero's two-out triple scored Jordan Swaydan, who had led off with a single. It was Guerrero's seventh triple of the season and 15th of his career as he tied the SDSU career mark shared by three others.
The game also marked the pitching debut of senior Jake McLintock. A four-year starter in right field, McLintock came on to start the ninth. He faced three batters in his one inning of work, giving up a single but getting a double play to close out the inning.
San Diego State now returns to Mountain West Conference action as it travels to Albuquerque to face New Mexico in a three-game series beginning Thursday, May 12, at noon (MDT) at Isotopes Park, home of the AAA affiliate of the Florida Marlins.
USC 10, San Diego State 6USC 002 020 600 - 10 17 0SDS 020 300 010 - 6 10 0Spradlin, Encinas (4), Friedman (7), Koss (9) and EstrellaDouglas, Scott (4), Bruckart (5), Suwyn (7), Campbell (8), McLintock (9) and SwaydanW - Encinas (4-3)L - Bruckart (0-3)Sv - NoneHR - USC: Lopez (1)Time - 3:30Att. - 904