Baseball
    October 9, 1996

    Trojans Win ECL College Baseball Invitational

    SPOKANE, Wash. -- The Trojans participated in the ECL College Baseball Invitational, a fall exhibition tournament in Spokane, Wash., to benefit a Spokane child abuse prevention center, over the weekend. The Trojans won the tournament with wins over Washington (6-1), host Gonzaga (9-6) and Oregon State (11-5).

    USC's leading hitters were junior right fielder Jeremy Freitas (6-for-10, 7 RBI), senior outfielder/catcher Jason Brown (5-for-11, 4 RBI) and junior second baseman Wes Rachels (5-for-13, 4 RBI). Wins were posted by senior Brian Ponchak, junior Seth Etherton and senior Randy Flores.

    "This was an unusual opportunity to test ourselves against very good Division I competition in the fall," USC Coach Mike Gillespie said. "Several of our returning players gave a fine accounting of themselves. I was particularly pleased with our 3 returning starting pitchers (Flores, Etherton and Scott Henderson) and reliever Jack Krawczyk. In addition, a number of new players got a chance to show what they can do. Jeremy Freitas and Eric Munson demonstrated that they will be outstanding collegiate players."