Baseball heads across town to face No. 2 USC
By Ross Bersot
It may be an indication of just how tough the Six-Pac is when
UCLA baseball doesn’t get any more fired-up for USC than it does
for any other conference opponent.
"It’s always nice to beat them because the Trojans are the
Trojans," UCLA head coach Gary Adams said. "But in baseball, I
think things are different. We’ll be as high for Stanford or
Arizona State or anybody else as we will for ‘SC. To the team, for
every Six-Pac opponent we’re sky high."
After John Phillips’ one-hitter and catcher Tim DeCinces two
home runs in San Diego against the Toreros on Wednesday, the Bruins
hope the momentum carries over to Fridays opener with USC at
Dedeaux Field.
"The guys have to feel good. I think it’s better coming off a
win going into a series, than coming off of a loss," Adams said.
"They were energized by John Phillips’ tremendous pitching
performance."
Baseball America’s No. 2, the Trojans, will be a little harder
to handle than the University of San Diego. A team batting average
is highlighted by right fielder Geoff Jenkins whopping .400. The
junior also leads the team in RBIs, with 19, and dingers, with
five. Four more Trojan starters are batting over .300, topped by
center fielder Walter Dawkins’ .373.
"They’ve got four of the toughest hitters in college baseball
with (Gabe) Alvarez (.329), Jenkins, Jacque Jones (.315) and
Dawkins," Adams said. "Those four guys could play for anybody and
they’re just tremendous hitters. Getting those four guys out is not
an easy task."
Even with such lofty numbers at the plate, USC does not have to
rely on its batting to survive, as it boasts a team ERA of
2.80.
"There is a reason why they’re ranked up there," Adams said.
"They’re a great team."