Trojans Ride Zito’s Pitching to 4-1 Victory

Left-hander Barry Zito pitched a two-hitter and struck out 16 to lead No. 15 USC to a 4-1 victory over UCLA Friday night in a Pacific 10 Conference baseball game at Dedeaux Field.

Zito (10-2), who ran his win streak to nine in a row, entered the game ranked No. 4 in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings at 12.9. He improved to 13.2 with Friday’s performance. Zito, a junior, walked four and improved to 7-0 in Pac-10 play.

UCLA, 24-26 overall and 8-8 in the Pac-10, had its seven-game conference win streak come to an end.

The Bruins took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on third baseman Nick Lyon’s home run.

USC (30-20, 15-4) tied the score in the bottom of the third on second baseman Dominic Correa’s run-scoring single.

In the fourth, USC took the lead when catcher Beau Craig doubled and scored on designated hitter Carlos Casillas’ groundout.

USC added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth. Right fielder Greg Hanolan, who had three hits, singled, and left fielder Jason Lane walked. The runners advanced on Corea’s sacrifice bunt, and a wild pitch by left-hander Ryan Carter (1-7) scored Hanolan. A throwing error by Bruin catcher Jason Green after the wild pitch scored Lane.

UCLA’s Chase Utley and Garrett Atkins had their hitting streaks end at 15 games, and USC’s Seth Davidson had his end at 12.

The teams play again today and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Dedeaux Field.