LOS ANGELES – San Diego State opened its highly anticipated series at No. 25 USC on a sour note Thursday, dropping a 12-2 decision at Dedeaux Field.
The Aztecs (11-14) were limited to four hits, while the Trojans (18-10-1) tallied 12 unanswered runs to win their fifth straight in the head-to-head series.
SDSU opened the scoring in the top of the third when Shaun Montoya and Poncho Ruiz belted consecutive home runs with two outs off starter Tyler Stromsborg. For Montoya, the solo blast marked his second round-tripper of the season, while Ruiz went yard for the fourth time this year.
However, Stromsborg (4-1) showed why he recently earned Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week honors after allowing just one more hit for the remainder of his seven-inning stint—a single to Caden Miller in the fifth. In all, the victorious USC right-hander posted seven strikeouts against four hits and a walk before giving way to Caden Connolly and Ethan Hoopingarner, who pitched the eighth and ninth, respectively.
Conversely, Omar Serrano (0-3) absorbed the loss for the Scarlet and Black after yielding three runs on five hits and three walks while fanning four batters in 3 1/3 innings.
Trailing 2-0, the Trojans responded to the Aztec power surge with a pair of markers in the bottom of the third when Johnny Olmstead doubled home Bryce Grudzielanek and Cole Gabrielson. Previously, Grudzielanek was hit by a pitch and moved over on a sacrifice, while Gabrielson drew a walk.
USC then took the lead for good in the fourth when Austin Overn singled home Ryan Jackson, who reached on a base hit through the left side, advancing on a walk to Connor Aoki, followed by a wild pitch.
In all the Trojans racked up 14 hits, including a 3-for-3 performance by Olmstead, who finished with five RBIs, while Overn went 4-for-6 with a pair of RBIs. In addition, Gabrielson walked on three occasions and crossed the plate three times.
After adding a single marker in the fifth on Jackson's RBI fielder's choice, USC combined for eight runs in the sixth and seventh to put the game out of reach.
Following Gabrielson's RBI single with two outs in the sixth, Olmstead smacked two-run homer to left center, while Grudzielanek knocked in a pair with a single in the seventh to key a five-run outburst, as the host school emerged triumphant for the 13th time in its last 16 outings.
San Diego State continues its non-conference series with USC on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Aztecs Drop Series Opener at No. 25 USC
