Shortstop Blake Sharpe's bases-loaded single in the eighth keyed a three-run
inning as the USC Trojans defeated the Cal State Fullerton Titans, 6-4,
in nonconference action at Dedeaux Field Wednesday night.
USC improved to 13-14 overall while Cal State Fullerton, which tied a
season high with four errors, fell to 15-14 and had its three-game winning
streak snapped.
Trojan third baseman Billy Hart led off the bottom of the eighth with
a bunt single to third. Daniel Perales followed with a sacrifice attempt,
but CSF catcher Kurt Suzuki's throw to second was off line and put runners
at first and second. Pinch-hitter Darin Vieira attempted another bunt,
but Mike Martinez (3-2) retired Hart at third.
Martinez then hit Jon Brewster with a pitch to load the bases. Sharpe
singled to left and on the play, left fielder Clark Hardman could not
handle the ball which allowed Vieira to score the game-winning run on
a close play at the plate. A bases-loaded walk to Jeff Clement made it
a 6-4 lead.
The Titans put the tying runs on base with one out in the top of the ninth,
but Bobby Paschal struck out pinch-hitter Shawn Scobee and got Suzuki
to ground into a fielder's choice to earn his first collegiate save for
the Trojans.
USC took a lead in the first when Brewster led off with a solo shot to
right. The Titans came back in the third with four runs. Justin Turner
led off with a walk, followed by a single to left by Ronnie Prettyman
and an RBI single by Suzuki. Suzuki advanced to second on the throw and
advanced to third on an RBI groundout by designated hitter Felipe Garcia,
scoring Prettyman. Danny Dorn's RBI double to right scored Suzuki and
later scored when USC pitcher Clayton Wentworth's throw on a comebacker
by P.J. Pilittere sailed past Joey Metropoulos at first.
Bret Butler (2-1) earned the win for USC, throwing one no-hit inning in
the eighth.
Fullerton will host Long Beach State in a nonconference series this weekend.
