Last night, we went to the home opener at Blair Field, and on a night where the Dirtbags got hit with more pitches than they actually hit, there was plenty to write about. During the game, I kept this LIVE GAME BLOG. We’ve done these for a lot of TV games and we see no reason why you shouldnt know what’s going on at Blair even if you can’t be there.
Enjoy, and we’ll see you next Friday @ 6:30pm for the game againt Cal.
Welcome to Blair Field, again. It’s time for Dirtbag Baseball!!! The LBPostSports crew is sitting behind the plate with cold beer and heckles ready. By the way, the new video player is awesome. So now, there is officially nothing at Blair you can complain about!
Top 1st
Matt Avery made outs 1, 2, and 3 on a pop out, line out and a ground out. Starter Jake Thompson got away with one up in the zone, but he hit his spots most of the time.
Bot 1st
USC starter Kevin Couture went to three balls on Tre Dennis and Jordan Casas, but it was a 1,2,3 inning with two K’s. Someone just realized that Sandra Bullock was a no-show for the ceremonial first pitch. They coulda asked me…
Top 2nd
Web Gems abound in the second as Jordan Casas sacrificed his body and made the catch just before crashing into the concrete wall in right. Then for the second out, Thompson threw his foot out for the kick save on a hot shot up the middle. Trojans leave Rob Stock on second.
Bot 2nd
After Devin Lohman singled to start the inning, coach Mike Weathers came out to ask the umpire about Couture’s move to first. The umpires convened, and discussed it with Couture. Of course, on the next move he picks off Lohman. Not exactly what Weathers had in mind, I’m guessing.
Top 3rd
Jake goes 1,2,3 with a K. Last year, he sometimes struggled with making mistakes while ahead in the count. He’s obviously learned his lesson, as he threw first pitch strikes to each hitter this inning, and only allowed a weak grounder and a can of corn.
Bot 3rd
Catcher John Hill wore an inside pitch, and second baseman Derek Legg played some great Dirtbag baseball with Hill running. Legg reached out and made contact to get Hill safely to second, and Dennis worked a 2-2 count with three consecutive foul balls, but watched the third strike, a fastball on the outside. Still 0-0
Top 4th
Dirtbag fans got a glimpse into the future of what the middle defense is going to look like this year, and me likey. Legg went to his left on a hot shot, spun on one knee, gunned it to Lohman, who showed off his hose to get the runner at first. 0-0
Bot 4th
After Casas singled and stole second, Taylor Krick came up swinging hard. He homered last night, and it looks like his loopy swing is a direct result… An early home run can help and hurt a hitter. Krick pops out. 0-0
Top 5th
Three up, three down. Thompson’s pitch count is getting up there, but the fifth is the inning where the Jake from last year meets the Jake from this year. He didn’t get deep into games last season, and in his first appearance at home, he gets his third K of the game to end the 5th. 0-0
Bot 5th
Avery did what we’ve been talking about all night: swing at the first pitch. Couture has been throwing very hittable pitches, and with a wide strike zone from “Larry The Umpire” it’s about time the ‘Bags jump on a few meat balls. But Avery lines out to center.
Top 6th
Thompson is really showing this capacity crowd how hard he’s worked in the off season. He gave up a dying quail, but that’s only the third hit of the night, and none of them hard hit. 0-0
Bot 6th
Serg just bet me that Legg would get on base. I’m not that dumb, and Legg proved us right when he wore one on the elbow. TD got him to second with a nice bunt, but Casas and J.J. stuck out. That’s the second time J.J. struck out with a man on second, but this pitch from Couture was nasty. 0-0
Top 7th
The Trojans forgot they were in Long Beach at night, and started swinging for the fences. Three up, two fly outs and another K. Time to stretch…
Bot 7th
More action for the Dirtbags. Lohman walks on a full count. Krick gets him over on a nice sac bunt. Avery wears one (how many is that now?) But with two on and one out, Rylan Sandoval strikes out and Hill pops out. Dirtbags have been the only ones threatening, but were still tied at zeros.
Top 8th
Manny McElroy replaces Thompson (7ip, 3h, 5K) on the bump and promptly walks the first two he faces. Dustin Rasco comes out of the pen with two on, and Mike O’Neill and Hector Rabago each poke an outside fastball into left to score two. They were good pitches on the corner, but not good enough. Catcher Rob Stock singles in two more. 4-0 USC
Bot 8th
Legg sends one to the track, and TD draws a walk, but the D’Bags go quietly in the eighth.
Top 9th
Freshman Josh Corrales comes out of the pen and sets ’em down in order. The Valencia native showcased his fastball and confident presence on the bump. Get your rally cap on! 4-0 USC
Bot 9th
With Krick on first, it looked like Avery had roped one down the line for the games first run, but Keith Castillo made a nice snag to end the threat, and the game.
FINAL: 4-0 USC
Box Score