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batted balls · 08-02-2006, 06:41 PM

June 2, 2007

Los Angeles--Some of the names in the headlines may have changed but the Southern California Trojans are marching on.

USC, winners of 10 straight games and 14 of its last 16, has opened a six-game lead over defending West champion Arizona State. The Trojans, 41-16 overall, will host the Sun Devils in a three-game series in mid-June.

"It's been a total team effort this year," said USC manager Rod Dedeaux. "When someone falls, another is there to pick them up."

Mostly, it's been the opponents that need to be picked up. The Trojan offense ranks No. 1 or 2 in almost every category. The pitching staff isn't far behind, ranking first in team ERA and second in runs allowed.

"Our pitchers have really done the job," said Dedeaux. "That wasn't always the case a year ago."

A year ago, USC fought to keep pace with Arizona State. By season's end, the Sun Devils had run away with the West to the tune of 113 victories and a College World Series berth.

"We'd love to do that," said Trojan left-hander Randy Johnson.

Johnson has certainly done his part. The fire-balling lefty is 6-0 with a 3.07 ERA. Right-hander Jim Barr, 16-7 as an All-Star last year, is 10-1 with a 1.77 ERA (third best in the West). Left-hander Barry Zito, who fell one win shy of 20 a year ago, is 7-2 with a 1.98 ERA.

Mark Prior, the 2006 Golden Arm Award winner, is 6-3 with a 2.18 ERA. Right-hander Tom Seaver (3-4, 3.05) has won two straight decisions. Spot starter Bill Lee is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA.

"Our starters have been more than I've ever asked for," said Dedeaux.

On offense, the Trojans have been explosive. First baseman Mark McGwire, last year's Golden Spikes winner, leads the team with 13 home runs. McGwire, batting .277, is second on the club with 44 RBIs. Designated hitter Dave Kingman (.227-12 homers) has 47 RBIs, good for second best among division leaders.

Third baseman Aaron Boone (.380) and center fielder Fred Lynn (.356) hold down the top two spots in the West batting race. Lynn hit .411 with 23 RBIs for the month.

"We are a complete team this season," said Lynn.

Trojan fans would like nothing more than the defintion of complete to mean a College World Series title.

West Standings

Team W L PCT GB
Southern California 41 16 .719 --
Arizona State 35 22 .614 6.0
UCLA 33 24 .579 8.0
California 32 25 .561 9.0
Stanford 31 26 .544 10.0
Arizona 28 29 .491 13.0
Texas 26 31 .456 15.0
Cal State Fullerton 22 35 .386 19.0
San Diego State 20 37 .351 21.0
Oklahoma State 17 40 .298 24.0

Player of the Month: Fred Lynn, Southern California

Pitcher of the Month: Dave Schmidt, UCLA (shown below)

Stat of the Week: Three of Southern California's starters have struck out more batters than innings pitched. The trio includes Mark Prior (105 Ks in 82.2 innings), Barry Zito (78 Ks in 77 IP) and Randy Johnson (47 Ks in 44 IP).

May Team-By-Team Reports
Southern California: The Trojans are attempting to run away from the pack with 10 straight wins. Closer Ray Lamb has run off 10 consecutive saves to give him 15 on the season. That total ties Lamb with Trevor Hoffman of Arizona for the West lead.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils, 35-22, are five games worse at this point of the season than they were a year ago. Despite going 7-3 in its last 10 games, Arizona State has actually lost three games in the standings. Floyd Bannister (8-1, 2.19 ERA) and Gary Gentry (5-1, 1.85) lead the pitching staff. Bob Horner (.338-15-36) is the main offensive threat. The outfield of Rick Monday (.203), Reggie Jackson (.223) and Oddibe McDowell (.234) has struggled.
UCLA: The offense ranks near the top of the AABL. Corner infielders Bob Hamelin (.294-14-32) and Troy Glaus (.260-15-49) are poster boys for Bruin baseball. Dave Schmidt (8-1) tops the West with a microscopic 0.69 ERA. Fellow starters Matt Young (7-3, 4.62) and Bill Bonham (5-2, 3.09) have tasted success. The bullpen, anchored by Jim York's 11 saves, has been shaky.
Cal: Starting pitchers Andy Messersmith (5-2, 1.99 ERA), Orval Overall (6-4, 2.57) and Bill "Bugs" Werle (8-3, 1.65) have formed a strong threesome. Jeff Kent (.283-8-35) and Sam Chapman (.280-11-32) power the offense.
Stanford: A revamped offense has helped the Cardinal move up in the standings in the past month. Fresh off a record-tying 27-game hitting streak, Steve Hovley (.321-4-24) leads the charge. Jeffrey Hammonds (.296-6-25) has 14 stolen bases, most in the West. Backup catcher A.J. Hinch (.307-5-15) should get more playing time. Dave Frost (5-0, 1.82) has the only winning record as a starter on a disappointing pitching staff.
Arizona: Take away closer Trevor Hoffman (15 saves, 2.96 ERA) and the Wildcat pitching has had its problems. The offense continues to center on second baseman Jason Bates (.345-7-28). Kenny Lofton (.290-2-28) shows splashes of greatness in center field.
Texas: Manager Cliff Gustafson continues to be puzzled by his Longhorns. Slow afoot, Texas has just one stolen base this season. Brooks Kieschnick (.282-2-26) has joined Grady Hatton (.296-5-29) and Ernie Koy (.281-4-28) as the offensive threats. Hard-throwing Roger Clemens (6-5, 2.81 ERA) and Bruce Ruffin (6-6, 2.90) anchor a mediocre pitching staff.
Cal State Fullerton: Perhaps the weakest offense in the AABL has the Titans destined for the second division. Catcher Dan Howitt has the team's best average at .267 yet has just one home run and 13 RBIs. Jose Mota (.222-five homers) leads CSF with 27 RBIs. Aaron Rowand (.253-1-15) and Dante Powell (.256-1-10) are the best of the lackluster rest. That's bad news for starters like Jeff Robinson (4-6, 2.23 ERA) and Matt Wise (3-7, 2.79).
San Diego State: Early promise has turned into fool's gold as a taxed bullpen has stumbled. Right-hander Aaron Harang (3-4, 3.24 ERA) is the only starter to dent the win column. Closer Royce Ring (4 saves, 3.63) has suffered from overwork in non-save situations. Mark Grace (.303-3-14) is bidding for an All-Star berth that didn't materialize a season ago. Travis Lee has eight home runs but is batting just .201.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboy pitching staff has been awful. The starting jobs of Dave Mlicki (0-7, 6.39 ERA) and Joe Horlen (1-7, 4.32) are in jeopardy. Thanks to a somewhat productive offense, Allie Reynolds (4-5, 3.69) and Tom Borland (4-2, 2.81) have enjoyed limited success. Danny Thompson (.318-4-26) and Robin Ventura (.296-2-26) have been the most consistent Cowboys. Slugger Pete Incaviglia has 10 home runs but is batting a putrid .211.

08-02-2006, 06:41 PM	#203 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Streaking Southern Cal Marches to Six-Game Lead June 2, 2007 Los Angeles--Some of the names in the headlines may have changed but the Southern California Trojans are marching on. USC, winners of 10 straight games and 14 of its last 16, has opened a six-game lead over defending West champion Arizona State. The Trojans, 41-16 overall, will host the Sun Devils in a three-game series in mid-June. "It's been a total team effort this year," said USC manager Rod Dedeaux. "When someone falls, another is there to pick them up." Mostly, it's been the opponents that need to be picked up. The Trojan offense ranks No. 1 or 2 in almost every category. The pitching staff isn't far behind, ranking first in team ERA and second in runs allowed. "Our pitchers have really done the job," said Dedeaux. "That wasn't always the case a year ago." A year ago, USC fought to keep pace with Arizona State. By season's end, the Sun Devils had run away with the West to the tune of 113 victories and a College World Series berth. "We'd love to do that," said Trojan left-hander Randy Johnson. Johnson has certainly done his part. The fire-balling lefty is 6-0 with a 3.07 ERA. Right-hander Jim Barr, 16-7 as an All-Star last year, is 10-1 with a 1.77 ERA (third best in the West). Left-hander Barry Zito, who fell one win shy of 20 a year ago, is 7-2 with a 1.98 ERA. Mark Prior, the 2006 Golden Arm Award winner, is 6-3 with a 2.18 ERA. Right-hander Tom Seaver (3-4, 3.05) has won two straight decisions. Spot starter Bill Lee is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA. "Our starters have been more than I've ever asked for," said Dedeaux. On offense, the Trojans have been explosive. First baseman Mark McGwire, last year's Golden Spikes winner, leads the team with 13 home runs. McGwire, batting .277, is second on the club with 44 RBIs. Designated hitter Dave Kingman (.227-12 homers) has 47 RBIs, good for second best among division leaders. Third baseman Aaron Boone (.380) and center fielder Fred Lynn (.356) hold down the top two spots in the West batting race. Lynn hit .411 with 23 RBIs for the month. "We are a complete team this season," said Lynn. Trojan fans would like nothing more than the defintion of complete to mean a College World Series title. West Standings Team W L PCT GB Southern California 41 16 .719 -- Arizona State 35 22 .614 6.0 UCLA 33 24 .579 8.0 California 32 25 .561 9.0 Stanford 31 26 .544 10.0 Arizona 28 29 .491 13.0 Texas 26 31 .456 15.0 Cal State Fullerton 22 35 .386 19.0 San Diego State 20 37 .351 21.0 Oklahoma State 17 40 .298 24.0 Player of the Month: Fred Lynn, Southern California Pitcher of the Month: Dave Schmidt, UCLA (shown below) Stat of the Week: Three of Southern California's starters have struck out more batters than innings pitched. The trio includes Mark Prior (105 Ks in 82.2 innings), Barry Zito (78 Ks in 77 IP) and Randy Johnson (47 Ks in 44 IP). May Team-By-Team Reports Southern California: The Trojans are attempting to run away from the pack with 10 straight wins. Closer Ray Lamb has run off 10 consecutive saves to give him 15 on the season. That total ties Lamb with Trevor Hoffman of Arizona for the West lead. Arizona State: The Sun Devils, 35-22, are five games worse at this point of the season than they were a year ago. Despite going 7-3 in its last 10 games, Arizona State has actually lost three games in the standings. Floyd Bannister (8-1, 2.19 ERA) and Gary Gentry (5-1, 1.85) lead the pitching staff. Bob Horner (.338-15-36) is the main offensive threat. The outfield of Rick Monday (.203), Reggie Jackson (.223) and Oddibe McDowell (.234) has struggled. UCLA: The offense ranks near the top of the AABL. Corner infielders Bob Hamelin (.294-14-32) and Troy Glaus (.260-15-49) are poster boys for Bruin baseball. Dave Schmidt (8-1) tops the West with a microscopic 0.69 ERA. Fellow starters Matt Young (7-3, 4.62) and Bill Bonham (5-2, 3.09) have tasted success. The bullpen, anchored by Jim York's 11 saves, has been shaky. Cal: Starting pitchers Andy Messersmith (5-2, 1.99 ERA), Orval Overall (6-4, 2.57) and Bill "Bugs" Werle (8-3, 1.65) have formed a strong threesome. Jeff Kent (.283-8-35) and Sam Chapman (.280-11-32) power the offense. Stanford: A revamped offense has helped the Cardinal move up in the standings in the past month. Fresh off a record-tying 27-game hitting streak, Steve Hovley (.321-4-24) leads the charge. Jeffrey Hammonds (.296-6-25) has 14 stolen bases, most in the West. Backup catcher A.J. Hinch (.307-5-15) should get more playing time. Dave Frost (5-0, 1.82) has the only winning record as a starter on a disappointing pitching staff. Arizona: Take away closer Trevor Hoffman (15 saves, 2.96 ERA) and the Wildcat pitching has had its problems. The offense continues to center on second baseman Jason Bates (.345-7-28). Kenny Lofton (.290-2-28) shows splashes of greatness in center field. Texas: Manager Cliff Gustafson continues to be puzzled by his Longhorns. Slow afoot, Texas has just one stolen base this season. Brooks Kieschnick (.282-2-26) has joined Grady Hatton (.296-5-29) and Ernie Koy (.281-4-28) as the offensive threats. Hard-throwing Roger Clemens (6-5, 2.81 ERA) and Bruce Ruffin (6-6, 2.90) anchor a mediocre pitching staff. Cal State Fullerton: Perhaps the weakest offense in the AABL has the Titans destined for the second division. Catcher Dan Howitt has the team's best average at .267 yet has just one home run and 13 RBIs. Jose Mota (.222-five homers) leads CSF with 27 RBIs. Aaron Rowand (.253-1-15) and Dante Powell (.256-1-10) are the best of the lackluster rest. That's bad news for starters like Jeff Robinson (4-6, 2.23 ERA) and Matt Wise (3-7, 2.79). San Diego State: Early promise has turned into fool's gold as a taxed bullpen has stumbled. Right-hander Aaron Harang (3-4, 3.24 ERA) is the only starter to dent the win column. Closer Royce Ring (4 saves, 3.63) has suffered from overwork in non-save situations. Mark Grace (.303-3-14) is bidding for an All-Star berth that didn't materialize a season ago. Travis Lee has eight home runs but is batting just .201. Oklahoma State: The Cowboy pitching staff has been awful. The starting jobs of Dave Mlicki (0-7, 6.39 ERA) and Joe Horlen (1-7, 4.32) are in jeopardy. Thanks to a somewhat productive offense, Allie Reynolds (4-5, 3.69) and Tom Borland (4-2, 2.81) have enjoyed limited success. Danny Thompson (.318-4-26) and Robin Ventura (.296-2-26) have been the most consistent Cowboys. Slugger Pete Incaviglia has 10 home runs but is batting a putrid .211. Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 08-02-2006 at 07:44 PM.