USC Pitchers Get 27 Strikeouts in Two Wins

Three USC pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Trojans defeated South Alabama, 3-2, Saturday and advanced to the championship game.

It was the second victory of the day for the top-seeded Trojans (43-16), who eliminated Clemson with an 8-5 decision in the day’s first game.

Rik Currier, Jason Lane (7-1) and Jack Krawczyk combined to strike out 12 batters in USC’s victory over South Alabama. Lane picked up the victory to improve to 7-1, and Krawczyk pitched the last 1 2/3 innings for his 20th save, best in the nation and two short of the NCAA record.

Currier, a freshman from Capistrano Valley, bounced back after being knocked out in the second inning of the Trojans’ 10-6 tournament-opening victory Thursday over Fordham.

Fourth-seeded South Alabama (41-18) and Virginia Commonwealth (46-14) will meet today in an elimination game, with the winner to face USC.

Etherton, USC’s top pitcher who had been held back until the later rounds, struck out 15 batters in the victory over the host team. The former Dana Hills standout ran his record to 12-3, striking out the side twice. Eight of Clemson’s nine batters struck out at least once.

The top-seeded Trojans had 13 hits. Brian Adams gave up six runs and eight hits and fell to 6-2 for Clemson (43-26).

In an elimination game, Virginia Commonwealth defeated The Citadel, 3-2, in 11 innings, the winning run scoring on Justin Martin’s double.

Ian Caballero singled with one out off Citadel reliever Tom Martin and scored on Martin’s double.

Caballero and Brandon Inge each had three hits for VCU. Inge pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out seven to improve to 5-2.