University Southern California Trojans
USC
UCLA
Baseball Downs UCLA In Bottom Of Ninth
February 26, 2000 | Baseball
Feb. 26, 2000
LOS ANGELES - Sophomore Mark Prior hit a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth to score third baseman Justin Gemoll from second as the No. 9 USC Trojans defeated the No. 8 UCLA Bruins, 4-3, in a non-conference game Saturday at Dedeaux Field.
Gemoll led off the inning for the Trojans (9-3) with a walk and reached second on a sacrifice by designated hitter Josh Persell. First baseman Alberto Concepcion was intentionally walked for left fielder Abel Montanez, who was replaced at the plate by Prior. Prior went 7 and 2/3 innings and struck out 13 batters in the Trojans' 10-7 win Friday against the Bruins, who are now 7-7 on the season.
The Bruins led off the ninth inning with a leadoff double by right fielder Nick Lyon off Trojans' reliever Pete Montrenes. Shortstop Warren Trott flied out to right as Lyon advanced to third. After a walk to center fielder Charles Merricks, pitcher Ronald Flores got second baseman Chase Utley to fly to right for the second out. Tim Petke (1-0), who picked up his first collegiate win, then got third baseman Garrett Atkins to ground into a fielder's choice as Merricks was retired at second to end the inning.
Both teams scored twice in the first inning and once in the second inning before both starting pitchers kept the game scoreless through the seventh inning. Rik Currier went 8 innings for the Trojans, allowing six hits and striking out seven, while Rob Henkel went 7 innings for the Bruins, scattering six hits and striking out eight with only one walk.
The series is scheduled to conclude tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Dedeaux Field.
UCLA 210-000-000 --- 3-7-1 USC 210-000-001 --- 4-7-1Henkel, Roe (8) and Johnson.
Currier, Montrenes (9), Flores (9), Petke (9) and Craig.
WP - Petke (1-0)
LP - Roe (1-1)
HR - USC: Craig (6), 1st inning, none on
UCLA: Scott (7), 1st inning, one on, Lyon (3), 2nd inning, none on
