Munson, USC Don’t Rest on Laurels

After spending two games and more than six hours behind the plate Sunday, USC catcher Eric Munson was ready to relax following USC’s 12-7 victory over Pepperdine in the championship game of an NCAA baseball regional at Dedeaux Field.

Munson and his Trojan teammates were forced to play twice because Pepperdine staved off elimination with a 4-3 win earlier in the day.

Defending national champion USC (36-24) outlasted Pepperdine (46-16) in the nightcap with its usual offensive prowess, surprising pitching performances from the bullpen and unexpected defensive lapses by the Waves.

“A hot tub and a few apple juices and I’ll be fine,” said Munson, who was voted most valuable player of the regional.

Munson and his teammates have a few days to soak in the satisfaction of their accomplishment before they begin play in a super regional Friday against Stanford (46-13). The Cardinal advanced with a 7-4 victory over Nevada at Stanford.

Both USC and Stanford have bid to host the super regional. But the Cardinal, No. 6 seeded nationally, is expected to be named the home team when the NCAA selection committee announces host sites today. The winner of the best-of-three series advances to the College World Series in Omaha June 11-19.

“If it’s not given to them I’ll be astounded,” USC Coach Mike Gillespie said. “And I’ll be loving life.”

Gillespie and the Trojans were feeling good about themselves Sunday night.

Munson and Jason Lane hit home runs and Justin Gemoll drove in three runs in the final as the Trojans collected 14 hits. Pitchers Steve Smyth, Steve Immel, Pete Montrenes, Ronald Flores and Lan--who had a combined 2-3 record in Pacific 10 Conference pla--held the Waves at bay despite surrendering 11 hits.

Pepperdine came into the regional with a .972 fielding percentage that ranked second nationally behind Mississippi State’s .974. But the Waves hurt themselves with four errors in the final game, including one in the second inning by shortstop Tony Garcia and another in the third by third baseman G.J. Raymundo that helped the Trojans take what turned out to be an insurmountable 8-2 lead.

“Those players were very uncharacteristic of them,” Gillespie said. “They have been really special on defense. They have been the king of the double play.”

Garcia’s error on a ground ball hit by Dominic Correa against Jay Adams (11-3) with one out and a runner at first opened the door to a three-run inning that put USC ahead, 3-0. Adams, who pitched a shutout against Harvard on Friday, lasted only 1 1/3 innings.

“I thought I could throw strikes and get some groundouts, but then I walked some guys and things got out of hand,” Adams said. “I was tired.”

Pepperdine scored two runs in the third on run-scoring singles by Austin Evans and Woody Cliffords.

But Lane opened the home half of the third with his 20th homer against Brad Tucker, who had pitched five innings Saturday night against Virginia Commonwealth. Munson doubled, Correa singled and Brad Ticehurst chased Tucker with a run-scoring single.

Richard Sundstrom replaced Tucker and gave up a one-out single to Justin Lehr to load the bases. Gemoll then hit a hard ground ball to third, a tough play to be sure, but one that Raymundo usually makes. This time, the ball skipped past him into the left field corner and all three runners scored, giving the Trojans a six-run lead.

“It was just a routine backhand,” Raymundo said. “It just went by me.”

Pepperdine pulled to within 11-7 with a three-run seventh, but Lane (2-0) did not allow a hit over the final two innings to secure the victory.

Munson, who is expected to be one of the first five players picked in Wednesday’s amateur draft, also hit a home run in the first game and finished the series eight for 16 with two homers, four RBIs, seven runs and the Trojans’ lone stolen base.

“To get out of here this weekend and move on is big,” Munson said of the regional championship. “There were some good teams here. We’re real happy.”