UCLA
22-11-1, 9-5-1
USC
22-14-1, 9-7
No. 22 UCLA Downs USC in Series Opener, 9-3
April 22, 2023 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – Sophomore shortstop Duce Gourson drove in four runs to lead No. 22 UCLA to a 9-3 win over USC in Friday's series opener at Dedeaux Field.
The Bruins (22-11-1, 9-5-1 Pac-12) never trailed in the game, trading ones with the Trojans (22-14-1, 9-7) in the first before going ahead for good with a four-run second inning.
USC inched back into the game during the middle innings, but UCLA put together a three-spot in the sixth inning to create some cushion.
Gourson picked up at least one RBI in each of UCLA's first three scoring innings. He opened the scoring in the first with an RBI double into the left-center field gap, capped the four-spot with an RBI groundout in the second, and brought home a pair with a double to right-center in the sixth. His four RBIs matched a season high.
The pivotal play of UCLA's go-ahead rally in the second came on a squeeze play from junior outfielder Carson Yates. After successfully getting the bunt down, USC starter Tyler Stromsburg fielded it and tried to make the play at home, but his toss to the plate was way wide, allowing Darius Perry and Malakhi Knight – who started the play at second base – to score easily. Freshman outfielder Jarrod Hocking later added an RBI two-bagger during the frame.
UCLA starter Jake Brooks struck out seven batters in just five innings to pick up the win, improving to 5-3 on the year. The junior righty scattered five hits, allowing just two earned runs.
Senior righty Kelly Austin and freshman right-hander Cody Delvecchio combined to shut out the Trojans over the final four innings of the game.
Austin breezed through the sixth and seventh innings before getting an assist from Delvecchio in the eighth, as the latter was summoned with two on and two out and proceeded to strike out Nick Lopez to escape the inning unscathed. Delvecchio stranded a pair in the ninth to finish off the game.
Besides Gourson, Knight (2-5, double, two runs) and Hocking (1-4, run) had standout days with the bats. UCLA drew 13 free passes in the game, including nine walks. Leadoff hitter Daylen Reyes reached base four times (two walks, two HBPs) and scored twice despite going hitless.
USC was led by center fielder Austin Overn, who went 3-4 with two triples and two runs scored.
UCLA and USC resume the series on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brooks, Jake (5-3)
L: Stromsborg (4-3)
Batting:
2B: Hocking, Jarrod 1 ; Gourson, Duce 2 ; Knight, Malakhi 1
RBI: Reyes, Daylen 1 ; Hocking, Jarrod 1 ; Gourson, Duce 4
SH: Hocking, Jarrod 1 ; Vaughns, JonJon 1 ; Yates, Carson 2
SF: Reyes, Daylen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Reyes, Daylen 2 ; Hocking, Jarrod 1 ; Perry, Darius 2 ; Knight, Malakhi 2 ; Vaughns, JonJon 1 ; Yates, Carson 1
SB: Yates, Carson 1
HBP: Reyes, Daylen 2 ; Holman, Jack 1 ; Perry, Darius 1
Batting:
2B: Aoki, Co. 1
3B: Overn, A. 2
RBI: Grudzielanek 2 ; Jackson, R. 1
SH: Clift, C. 1
SF: Grudzielanek 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Overn, A. 2 ; Clift, C. 1
