No. 19 USC Edges Pilots 2-1

Junior hurler David Gruener picks up a complete game in the loss.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

LOS ANGELES - Portland junior pitcher David Gruener yields just two runs on five hits in 8.0 innings, but the 19th-ranked Southern California Trojans edged the Pilots 2-1 in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday night at Dedeaux Field.

Gruener (0-1), who picks up the complete game, struck out five.

All the scoring in the game came in the first inning. Portland (9-7) struck first to take a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the inning.

With the bases empty, junior designated hitter Danny Meier drew a two-out walk. Sophomore first baseman Chase Powell followed with a run-scoring double to center field.

The Trojans (16-9) responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning.

After a lead-off walk to Nick Buss, Grant Green drilled a triple to center field that tied the score at 1-1.

Gruener then got Matt Cusik to ground out to second base, but Green scored to give USC a 2-1 lead that would stand the rest of the way.

Anthony Vasquez (2-4) allowed all five UP hits in 7.0 innings of work to pick up the win.

Reliever Kevin Couture struck out two of the three batters he faced in the eighth, while Paul Koss retired the Pilots in order in the ninth to nail down the save. It’s Koss’ 11th save this season.

Powell had two of Portland’s five hits on the night. Senior outfielder Justin Pierce also had two hits.

USC also had five hits on the night. Cusik and Spencer Pabst each had two hits for the Trojans.

Both teams committed an error in a game that lasted just two hours.

Portland next opens a 13-game homestand with a three-game set against the Utah Utes this weekend at Joe Etzel Field.

The Pilots host the Utes at 3:00 PM on Friday and at 1:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

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