Moon’s Shot Propels Trojans

Michael Moon doesn’t know when he will come down to Earth. Not until, he hopes, after the College World Series.

Moon’s ninth-inning, two-run home run against Pepperdine ace Noah Lowry capped a three-run rally and lifted USC to a 4-3 victory in an NCAA regional second-round game Saturday at Dedeaux Field.

Faced with two strikes after a failed bunt, Moon blasted Lowry’s next pitch high over the right-field wall, sending much of a season-high 2,376 at Dedeaux Field into a frenzy.

“Words can’t really describe it right now, how it makes me feel that I came through for the team in a great game like that,” said Moon, a freshman third baseman from Alta Loma. “I’m going to feel this way for a long time. Hopefully, through [the College World Series in] Omaha.”

Second-ranked USC (41-17) will play Fresno State (41-24), an 8-6 winner Saturday night over Pepperdine, for the regional title today at noon. If the Trojans win, they advance to a super regional next week. If Fresno State wins, a second game between the teams will determine the super regional representative.

Moon, who had three hits, drove in three runs and stole home Friday against Oral Roberts, called his fifth home run of the season the biggest moment of his career.

USC Coach Mike Gillespie likewise gave it high marks.

“I don’t remember, in my experience, a win quite so dramatic as this one,” Gillespie said. “Given the momentum shift, what was on the line and what took place to win it. We’re thrilled with the win. Pepperdine was really good and Lowry was really special. I’m sure it was a heart-shattering loss for them.”

Moon’s shot provided an explosive climax to what had been a tight pitcher’s duel between Lowry and USC’s Mark Prior, projected by many as the nation’s top pick in next month’s draft.

Lowry (14-2), a junior left-hander and the West Coast Conference pitcher of the year, limited the Trojans to three hits through eight innings before Josh Persell led off the ninth with a double.

Bill Peavey, who homered against Lowry last season, followed with a run-scoring single. That brought Moon to the plate.

“It was a curve and I hung it,” Lowry said. “It happens. Michael Moon did a good job hitting a mistake.”

Prior struck out 14 in eight innings but exited after the Waves took a 2-1 lead in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Jared Pitney.

Pepperdine, which scored a run in the seventh to pull even, extended the lead to 3-1 in the ninth against left-hander Jordan Olson (2-1).

Pepperdine had 11 of its 14 hits against Prior. Several were to the opposite field, including a handful of sinking line drives.

The Waves had three runners thrown out at the plate, two by right fielder Abel Montanez, in the second and seventh innings.

“With two outs, you always want to force them to make the play at the plate,” Pepperdine Coach Frank Sanchez said. “If they throw it just a little off, anything can happen.”

Montanez kept the game scoreless in the second by gunning down Dane Ball attempting to score from second on a single. He did the same to Rock Mills in the seventh, ending the inning in which the Waves scored the tying run.

“I think we played spectacular ‘film-at-11’ defense on about five different occasions,” Gillespie said.

Prior a junior right-hander, considered his outing adequate.

“I didn’t give up the extra outs or walk anyone,” Prior said. “I gave up 11 hits, but I don’t remember too many guys scorching it.”

Fresno State 8, Pepperdine 6--Casey McGehee and Josh LaBandeira had home runs, and Ben Fritz recorded his seventh save as the Bulldogs eliminated the Waves (42-28).

McGehee’s two-run home run in the second inning gave Fresno State a 3-1 lead. LaBandeira added a solo home run in the fourth to make it 4-1. Fritz gave up three hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Jared Pitney had four hits, including a solo home run, for Pepperdine, which stranded nine baserunners for the second consecutive game.