14 and out
USC offense just too much for Sun Devils
Posted: Thursday September 03, 1998 10:43 PM
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Hard to fathom: Arizona State was stunned after its 14-run outburst fell seven runs short Vincent Laforet/Allsport |
OMAHA, Nebraska (CNN/SI) -- Only one word came to Arizona State coach
Pat Murphy's mind Saturday as he watched his Sun Devils score 14 runs --
and still lose handily to Southern California.
"Unbelievable."
USC won the 12th championship in the Trojans' storied baseball history,
beating Arizona State 21-14 in the College World Series championship game.
"Whenever you put 14 runs on the board, you should win," second baseman
Willie Bloomquist said. "We were knocking balls out of the park. We still
came up short."
After falling behind 8-0 in the second inning, the Sun Devils somehow
scored enough runs to keep the game close through the eighth inning.
But it wasn't enough. The Sun Devils (41-23) surrendered a title-game
record 21 runs and 23 hits, including 10 runs over the last three innings.
"USC was awesome today," Murphy said through tears. "We couldn't hold
them."
The turning point of the game, Murphy said, came when USC's Morgan
Ensberg stole home in the top of the seventh, barely beating the tag by
catcher Greg Halvorson. He said the close play destroyed his team's morale.
"The steal at home was a big momentum changer," Murphy said of the
bases-loaded, two-out play. "I'm not questioning the call. It was a
bang-bang play that definitely changed the game. The big call went against
us."
It was a gritty performance by the Sun Devils.
Left fielder Dustin Delucchi dived onto the warning track three times
chasing flies, making a great catch on one.
But after the game, he was slumped in the corner of the dugout as USC
received the champion's trophy.
"Somebody has stabbed a dagger in my heart," Delucchi said, fighting
back tears. "We didn't play good as a team, I guess. I don't know what to
say about this."
Arizona State played Pac-10 rival USC six times during the regular
season, with each team winning three games at home. The last time the teams
met, on April 11, Arizona State won 24-4.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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