Southern Cal, Miami To Play It Again

College World Series

Southern California pitcher Ben Tucker blew most of a five-run lead before the Trojans held on to beat Miami 7-5 Wednesday and force an elimination game for a berth in the College World Series championship game.

It was sweet revenge for Tucker (7-2), who gave up five straight hits to Miami in a 15-10 loss last week. He held the hottest-hitting team in the series to seven hits over seven innings. Miami, which came in hitting .411, managed only .212.

Miami (48-16) struck first, when Ricky Gonzalez scored on Rick Gama’s sacrifice fly. Southern Cal (48-20) took a 3-1 lead after two innings on Greg Walbridge’s two-run double and Ernie Diaz’s bloop single into right field that scored Walbridge.

Tucker then held the Hurricanes scoreless for four innings, giving up only one hit and retiring six straight batters at one point, as USC stretched its lead to 6-1 after solo home runs by Geoff Jenkins (22) and Diaz (8).

But Southern Cal almost blew the game in the seventh.

Today’s matchup features Cal State Fullerton (55-9) vs. Tennessee (54-15). Tennessee right-hander Scott Schroeffel (7-2) will face a Fullerton team that has batted .375 in its two wins, including an 11-1 pasting of Tennessee. The Titans can advance to Saturday’s championship with a win.