USC Gets Even With Huskies

Junior left-hander Randy Flores had a no-hitter for 7 2/3 innings and struck out a season-high 10 batters Friday night to lead No. 2-ranked USC to a 7-3 victory over Northern Division champion Washington in the second game of the Pacific 10 championship series.

With the series tied one game apiece, the finale will be played today at 1 p.m.

Flores, who pitched his fourth complete game of the season, held the Huskies hitless until an eighth-inning double by Chris Whitemarsh. Flores had retired nine in a row before the double, but he struggled in the ninth. After two walks, a groundout advanced the runners and then Christian Shewey had a sacrifice fly. Ryan Lentz hit a two-run homer before Ryan Bundy struck out to end it.

Flores (8-1) gave up three runs on two hits and four walks.

Paul Cruz hit a solo home run in the fourth for the Trojans, 40-14-1 overall and 24-6 in Southern Division play. The Huskies are 30-27 and 16-8.