University Southern California Trojans
USC
Mississippi St
Baseball Gets Back On Winning Track In 7-3 Win
February 23, 2001 | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2001
LOS ANGELES -- Senior shortstop Seth Davidson went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI while junior pitcher Mark Prior struck out nine Friday and the No. 2 USC Trojans defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 7-3, at Dedeaux Field.
USC, ranked No. 2 in the nation by ESPN/USA Today Baseball Weekly and Baseball America and No. 3 by Collegiate Baseball, scored five runs in the second inning off Bulldogs' starter Tanner Brock (0-1). The rally was capped on a two-run homer to right by junior center fielder Brian Barre.
Prior (3-0) had another strong effort for the Trojans (9-4), allowing two earned runs on four hits in six innings of work. He allowed only two walks.
For the season, Prior has a 1.37 ERA in 26 1/3 innings. He has allowed only 14 hits, struck out 43 and walked five. Opponents are batting .151 against Prior.
Davidson and Prior were high school teammates at University HS in San Diego.
The Trojans had a 6-1 lead into the sixth before the Bulldogs (1-3) loaded the bases against Prior. Josh West reached on an RBI fielder's choice and Jon Knott struck out for the third time in the game for the second out. Brent Lewis knocked an RBI single to left before Steve Gendron grounded out to end the inning.
Davidson hit a blooper down the right field line in the bottom of the sixth to wrap up the scoring for both teams.
Sophomore Chad Clark recorded his first save of the season with three scoreless innings.
Due to probable showers, Sunday's game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, which will start at noon. Both games of tomorrow's doubleheader can be heard live on www.usctrojans.com.
MSU 000-102-000 --- 3-7-1 USC 050-011-00x --- 7-9-1 Brock, Collums (5), Young (8) and Burkley. Prior, Clark (7) and Concepcion. WP - Prior (3-0) LP - Brock (0-1) S - Clark (1) T: 2:40 ATT: 411
