March 17, 2002

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. - Freshman Joey Metropoulos went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI Sunday and the USC Trojans defeated the Pepperdine Waves, 18-6, in non-conference action at Eddy D. Field Stadium. USC has won four straight games.

USC improves to 11-9 overall while Pepperdine falls to 11-16 on the season. In the Trojans' last six games (5-1 record), the team has registered a total of 61 runs for an average of over 10 runs a game.

The Trojans jumped out to a 10-0 lead after scoring five runs in the first, four in the second and one in the third. The first five USC batters reached base safely in the first. Brian Barre led off with a double and scored on a single by second baseman Anthony Lunetta. Catcher Alberto Concepcion walked before Metropoulos hit the first of his two doubles to left center, scoring Lunetta.

USC completed the five-run inning on RBI singles by right fielder David Gordon and left fielder Michael Morales and a groundout by first baseman Bill Peavey.

Gordon also went 3-for-4 for the Trojans with three RBI.

Freshman Matt Chico improved to 3-1 on the season with 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Chico struck out five batters and walked two.

Junior Anthony Reyes made his first appearance of the season after being sidelined with a sore right elbow. Reyes pitched one inning and allowed only two walks in a limited start.

The Trojans will finish their streak of 22 road games to open the 2002 season against San Diego State on Monday (March 18) at 6 p.m. and Loyola Marymount on Tuesday (March 19) at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on www.usctrojans.com.

USC           541-120-041 --- 18-21-0
Pepperdine    001-010-112 --- 6-9-1

WP - Williams (3-1)   LP - Boesch (3-2)
Reyes, Chico (2), Butler (7), Wentworth (9) and Concepcion, Bonovich (5).
Beavers, Ramirez (2), D. Mills (5), Carroll (7), Kometani (8), Phillips (9) and R. Mills, Carabello (5).
T - 3:22   ATT - 400