Capacity Crowd Benefits Trojans

USC’s baseball program enjoys a storied history, but Trojan attendance figures are not a part of it.

Playing in a region that includes so many professional sports teams and other entertainment attractions, USC draws meager home crowds that do not compare to other college baseball powers located outside major media markets.

On Saturday, though, the defending national champion Trojans clearly benefited from the support of a raucous capacity crowd of 2,384 that spurred the Trojans to a 5-3 victory over Pepperdine in a winner’s-bracket game of an NCAA regional at Dedeaux Field.

Another sellout is expected today at noon when USC (35-23) plays Pepperdine in the regional final. The Waves (45-15) earned the rematch by defeating Virginia Commonwealth, 12-5, in an elimination game Saturday night.

If USC defeats Pepperdine, the 12-time national champion Trojans will advance to a super regional next weekend. If USC loses, a second game will be played one hour after the completion of the first to determine the regional champion.

“We felt from the get-go it was our regional to win,” said USC catcher Eric Munson, who had one of the Trojans’ nine hits. “Now we’re in the driver’s seat and hopefully we can bring it home.”

If they do, the Trojans can partly thank the USC fans who helped make up the largest crowd at Dedeaux Field since a 1991 regional game against the Waves. That game drew 2,887 thanks to two temporary sets of bleachers.

On Saturday, with only one extra set of bleachers available, the spillover fans manned the upper level of a parking garage beyond the right-field fence. They were part of a crowd that seemed to rattle Pepperdine’s relievers during the pivotal eighth inning when USC scored two runs to break a 3-3 tie.

“When things started swinging our way in the eighth inning and the crowd got loud,” USC Coach Mike Gillespie said, “I don’t think there’s any question that made a difference.”

Pepperdine’s Dave Reed replaced reliever Michael Askay after Askay issued a leadoff walk to Dominic Correa. Reed gave up a one-out single to Brad Ticehurst, then walked pinch-hitter Justin Lehr to load the bases.

Richard Sundstrom, the fourth Pepperdine pitcher, was summoned from the bullpen with a 1-0 count on USC first baseman Justin Gemoll, the No. 9 hitter in the Trojan lineup. With much of the crowd standing, yelling and clapping in unison, Sundstrom walked Gemoll to force in the go-ahead run. Greg Hanoian also drew a walk to give USC its final run before Matt Wersel got the final two outs of the inning for the Waves.

“That was definitely the most intense and rowdy crowd that we have had,” Gemoll said.

USC left-hander Barry Zito (12-2) gave up three runs and eight hits, struck out five and walked four in 8 1/3 innings for his 11th win in a row.

Zito was replaced by Steve Smyth with one out in the ninth after issuing a walk to Austin Evans. Smyth earned the save by getting Woody Cliffords to hit a ground ball that Trojan shortstop Seth Davidson fielded before stepping on second base and throwing to first to complete a game-ending double play.

“My rhythm was off a tick today,” said Zito, who is expected to be a first-round pick in Wednesday’s amateur draft. “I feel better about this game than when I have my good stuff. It’s easy when you have your good stuff, but to battle back when you’re off feels great.”