Baseball
    USC Defeats No. 14 Arizona 8-4
    Trojans put up six run sixth inning, Triggs strong in win.
    James Roberts has reached base safely in 27 consecuitive games.
    James Roberts has reached base safely in 27 consecuitive games.

    May 19, 2012

    Box Score

    LOS ANGELES - On the day USC celebrated the 40th anniversary of their 1972 National Championship by honoring the team on the field, the Trojans rewarded them with a victory as well defeating No. 14 Arizona 8-4 at Dedeaux Field. USC snapped a nine-game losing streak and improve to 23-26 (8-18 Pac-12) while Arizona drops to 35-16 (17-9 Pac-12).

    USC loaded the bases in the third inning after two walks and a hit batter. James Roberts stepped to the plate and was hit in the forearm to force in the Trojans first run. Alex Sherrod followed with a sac-fly to center that scored Andres Rodriguez from third.

    Arizona answered back in the fourth with an RBI single from Trent Gilbert and a two-run triple to the right field corner by Joseph Maggi to take a 3-2 lead. Arizona starter Konner Wade held the Trojans hitless until the sixth inning when Roberts singled to end the no hitter. Matt Foat followed with an RBI double to left to score Roberts and tie the game at 3-3. Brandon Garcia kept the inning rolling with a single to left to score Foat and stretch the lead to 4-2. With the bases loaded Garret Houts would plate Dante Flores on a single through the right side to chase Wade (L 7-2) from the game. Tyler Crawford would come on in relief to face Rodriguez with the bases full. Rodriguez would draw a walk to force in another run as the Trojans went up 6-3. Kevin Roundtree then dropped a single into shallow left field to score Kevin Swick and Houts to lead 8-3.

     

     

    With a comfortable lead Triggs returned to the mound to retire the side in order in the seventh. Triggs (5-6) picked up the win allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out 3 on the day.

    Reliever Brad Douthit came on in the eighth for USC, striking out two-of-three batters faced before the game was handed off to Martin Virimontes. He struck out Brandon Dixon to end the inning as the side went down on strikes.

    The Wildcats would score once in the ninth on a sac-fly from Seth Mejias-Brean but Virimontes closed out thinning to secure the victory for USC.