In a game that started in May and ended in June, USC's season ended in a painful 14-10 loss to Virginia that lasted 11 innings on Sunday night in Lake Elsinore.
"There's no reason for them to hang their heads," USC head coach Dan Hubbs said. "They had a hell of a year. I can't tell you how proud I am of this team."
The Trojans were clearly fatigued late in the game, as they came off a thrilling 12-11 win earlier that day against San Diego State. Virginia took advantage of sloppy USC fielding and lack of control from the USC bullpen in the top of the 11th to score five runs.
The teams scored a combined nine runs in the first inning, with the Trojans ending up on top by one run. USC put up another four runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped by a Jeremy Martinez two-run single. Martinez matched his four RBI game earlier against San Diego State with another one in the nightcap.
USC held a 9-6 lead going into the top of the eighth, but Virginia rallied to tie the game against three different USC pitchers in the frame. Virginia cleared the bases on a single that got past Bobby Stahel's glove in left, which allowed all three baserunners to score.
The same thing happened in the top of the 11th, but this time it was under AJ Ramirez's glove in right. It was clear that playing its 20th inning of the day was getting to USC.
"[Fatigue] probably played a factor," Hubbs said. "They grinded it out. I mean, how many times are you going to have 12 at-bats in one day."
But despite the early exit, there's no doubt that this season's USC baseball team made a big impact regarding the future of this program.
"We set out at the beginning of the year to make a mark," USC senior catcher Garrett Stubbs said. "And that's exactly what we did. I don't think anyone is going to turn the TV off now when they're watching USC. There's no quit in any guy on this team. There was never a moment when we thought this game was over."
"There's no reason for them to hang their heads," USC head coach Dan Hubbs said. "They had a hell of a year. I can't tell you how proud I am of this team."
The Trojans were clearly fatigued late in the game, as they came off a thrilling 12-11 win earlier that day against San Diego State. Virginia took advantage of sloppy USC fielding and lack of control from the USC bullpen in the top of the 11th to score five runs.
The teams scored a combined nine runs in the first inning, with the Trojans ending up on top by one run. USC put up another four runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped by a Jeremy Martinez two-run single. Martinez matched his four RBI game earlier against San Diego State with another one in the nightcap.
USC held a 9-6 lead going into the top of the eighth, but Virginia rallied to tie the game against three different USC pitchers in the frame. Virginia cleared the bases on a single that got past Bobby Stahel's glove in left, which allowed all three baserunners to score.
The same thing happened in the top of the 11th, but this time it was under AJ Ramirez's glove in right. It was clear that playing its 20th inning of the day was getting to USC.
"[Fatigue] probably played a factor," Hubbs said. "They grinded it out. I mean, how many times are you going to have 12 at-bats in one day."
But despite the early exit, there's no doubt that this season's USC baseball team made a big impact regarding the future of this program.
"We set out at the beginning of the year to make a mark," USC senior catcher Garrett Stubbs said. "And that's exactly what we did. I don't think anyone is going to turn the TV off now when they're watching USC. There's no quit in any guy on this team. There was never a moment when we thought this game was over."
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