University Southern California Trojans
USC
Houston
Fifth-Ranked Trojans' Win Streak Halted At Seven
March 10, 2000 | Baseball
March 10, 2000
LOS ANGELES - Houston right fielder Eric Lee hit a solo home run off USC reliever Tim Petke in the top of the ninth Friday to give the No. 10 Cougars the 3-2 non-conference win over the No. 5 Trojans at Dedeaux Field. Lee was 0-for-3 on the evening before he led off the inning with his second home run of the season. The win snapped the Trojans' seven-game winning streak and was the Cougars' fifth straight win on the road.
The game proved to be a pitchers' duel between Houston's Kyle Crowell, who improved to 4-1 on the season, and USC's Mark Prior, who got the no decision as Petke (1-1) took the loss. Crowell pitched the complete game for the Cougars (13-7), allowing only five hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Prior went eight innings, allowing seven hits with nine strikeouts and two walks.
The Trojans got their only runs in the bottom of the second on an RBI sacrifice fly by designated hitter Josh Persell, scoring first baseman Bill Peavey, and an RBI single by left fielder Eric Verbryke.
Houston answered in the fifth with a leadoff home run to right field by third baseman Kris Wilken and an RBI single by left fielder Brandon Caraway.
Crowell pitched exceptionally well against the Trojans' 3-4-5 hitters as second baseman Anthony Lunetta, catcher Beau Craig and Peavey were a combined 0-for-12 on the evening.
The series will continue tomorrow at Dedeaux Field at 1 p.m. with the series finale on Sunday (March 12) also at 1 p.m.
Houston 000 020 001 - 3 8 1 USC 020 000 000 - 2 5 1Crowell and Bitter. Prior, Petke (9) and Craig.
WP - Crowell (4-1) LP - Petke (1-1 HR - Houston: Wilken (4), 5th inning, none on, Lee (2), 9th inning, none on
