Diaz Fits In at Third For USC : College baseball: Former Crescenta Valley High standout realizes dream as Trojan infielder.

Circumstances what they are, it’s not surprising Ernie Diaz is playing third base for USC in the College World Series.

The former Crescenta Valley High standout has been both a victim and beneficiary of circumstance during a college baseball career that also has included stops at Cal State Northridge and Los Angeles City College.

Diaz, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound junior, is batting .252 with six home runs and 28 runs batted in for a Trojan team that lost its opener to Miami on Friday and plays an elimination game today against defending national champion Oklahoma.

“We’re not out of it by any means,” Diaz said. “We just didn’t get the big hit when we needed it against Miami. There’s nothing to get discouraged about. We just have to come back and take advantage of situations.”

Diaz is well-versed in that regard. He has played in 47 of the Trojans’ 65 games, including the last 15 at third base in place of freshman Derek Baker, who has been limited to pinch-hitting because of an ankle injury.

Diaz’s solid play on defense and his occasional power at the plate have been a pleasant surprise to the Trojans, who won the Pacific 10 Conference championship and the West Regional at Fresno to advance to the World Series for the first time in 17 years.

“Ernie is your classic overachiever,” said Frank Cruz, a USC assistant coach who recruited Diaz. “He’s been a very valuable member of this team.”

While playing for Crescenta Valley, Diaz dreamed of playing for the Trojans. He spent many days and nights watching USC play at Dedeaux Field, imagining himself playing second base.

“I’d just go out there and stare at the field and at the players,” Diaz said. “I’d say, ‘Wow, this would be a great place to play.’ ”

Instead, Diaz enrolled at Cal State Northridge after an All-Pacific League season at Crescenta Valley. With the talented and fleet Scott Richardson firmly implanted in the lineup as the Matadors’ second baseman, Diaz pondered his future during a redshirt season.

“I was on the grounds crew, raking the plate and things like that,” Diaz said. “I liked the coaches and the players at Northridge, but I felt I needed to go somewhere else where I could play.”

Diaz transferred to L.A. City College and twice was selected All-Southern California Athletic Conference. He also played well for Topeka in the Jayhawk summer league before enrolling at USC where he impressed Coach Mike Gillespie and his staff with his hustle and versatility.

“The last three intrasquad games we played during the winter, he hit about six bullets,” Cruz said. “Coach Gillespie said, ‘Hey, this guy can do some things.’ ”

Diaz has started 37 games and played in 10 others. Fifteen of his 35 hits have been for extra bases.

“This season has basically been a dream come true,” he said. “Winning the conference was great because it was the first championship team I’ve played on since I was a freshman in high school.

“I just hope other kids who see me playing in the World Series realize that things can happen if you work hard. I think I’m an example of that.”