COLLEGE BASEBALL / NCAA REGIONALS : Trojans Need Two Victories at LSU Today

USC survived to see another day in the NCAA South Regional at Baton Rouge, La., but the Trojans’ road to their first College World Series berth since 1978 includes a major obstacle.

USC lost to defending national champion Louisiana State, 6-2, Saturday then came back in the evening and put together a 13-run first inning en route to a 25-9 victory over North Carolina Greesnboro. The Trojans must defeat LSU twice on its home field today to advance to the World Series.

“It’s very do-able,” said USC outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who hit home runs in both games Saturday.

USC is hoping for a role reversal against LSU, which defeated the Trojans twice on the final day of a 1990 regional at Alex Box Stadium to earn a trip to Omaha.

LSU sophomore right-hander Brett Laxton (4-4) gave up two runs and six hits and struck out three in 8 1/3 innings Saturday.

In other games involving Southland teams, Cal State Fullerton right-hander Mike Parisi (11-3) gave up one run in 7 2/3 innings as the Titans defeated Texas Christian, 4-1, in the second round of the Midwest I Regional at Stillwater, Okla. Tonight, Fullerton will play the winner of an elimination game between TCU and Oklahoma State. A Fullerton victory would put the Titans one victory away from their second World Series appearance in three years.

Long Beach State stayed alive in the Midwest II Regional at Wichita, Kan., with a 16-9 victory over Connecticut. Long Beach will play an elimination game today against Santa Clara, an 11-7 loser to Washington Saturday. If the 49ers win, they will play tonight against the loser of today’s game between Georgia Tech and Washington.