Baseball heads across town to face No. 2 USC

Published: Friday, March 3, 1995

By Ross Bersot

It may be an indication of just how tough the Six-Pac is when UCLA baseball doesn't get any more fired-up for USC than it does for any other conference opponent.

"It's always nice to beat them because the Trojans are the Trojans," UCLA head coach Gary Adams said. "But in baseball, I think things are different. We'll be as high for Stanford or Arizona State or anybody else as we will for 'SC. To the team, for every Six-Pac opponent we're sky high."

After John Phillips' one-hitter and catcher Tim DeCinces two home runs in San Diego against the Toreros on Wednesday, the Bruins hope the momentum carries over to Fridays opener with USC at Dedeaux Field.

"The guys have to feel good. I think it's better coming off a win going into a series, than coming off of a loss," Adams said. "They were energized by John Phillips' tremendous pitching performance."

Baseball America's No. 2, the Trojans, will be a little harder to handle than the University of San Diego. A team batting average is highlighted by right fielder Geoff Jenkins whopping .400. The junior also leads the team in RBIs, with 19, and dingers, with five. Four more Trojan starters are batting over .300, topped by center fielder Walter Dawkins' .373.

"They've got four of the toughest hitters in college baseball with (Gabe) Alvarez (.329), Jenkins, Jacque Jones (.315) and Dawkins," Adams said. "Those four guys could play for anybody and they're just tremendous hitters. Getting those four guys out is not an easy task."

Even with such lofty numbers at the plate, USC does not have to rely on its batting to survive, as it boasts a team ERA of 2.80.

"There is a reason why they're ranked up there," Adams said. "They're a great team."