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Baseball Pounds Third-Ranked USC
Ryan Mills strikes out 15 in 18-3 victory.
April 9, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz. - The 19th-ranked Arizona State baseball team (25-14, 12-6 Six-Pac), behind the brilliant pitching performance from ace Ryan Mills, defeated the third-ranked Southern California Trojans (29-9, 14-5 Six-Pac) 18-3 this evening in front of a crowd of 2,819 at Packard Stadium.
The Devils were leading 6-2 until the eighth inning when they broke the game open with 12 runs and tied a season record for most hits in a single inning with seven. Arizona State was led by Andrew Beinbrink who went 2-for-4 on the night with three RBI and three runs scored. Also contributing for the Devils was designated hitter Casey Myers who finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and Rudy Arguelles who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Lefthander Ryan Mills picked up the win with another outstanding performance tonight, improving his record to (5-3). Mills went eight innings allowing only two earned runs on three hits, while striking out 15 to set a new season high. The Arizona State pitchers held USC to only four hits which ties a season low for the Trojans. Head coach Pat Murphy was pleased with the performance of Mills.
"He was on it tonight. I was proud he was able to keep his composure," said Murphy.
For Southern California, righthander Seth Etherton (8-2) picked up his second consecutive loss, which has happened only one other time in his career. Etherton went seven innings, giving up 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out six. First baseman Robb Gorr led the Trojan offense going 1-for-4 and driving in two runs. Designated hitter Jason Lane finished the night 1-for-3 with an RBI. Fifteen strikeouts is the most by USC batter since 1992.
The Sun Devils will face Southern California in game two of the three-game conference series tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Packard Stadium. Probable starting pitchers are RHP Mike Penney for the Trojans and RHP Richy Leon for the Sun Devils.
Southern California 002 000 001 -- 3 4 2 Arizona State 301 110 0(12)x -- 18 18 0
Winner -- Mills (5-3)
Loser -- Etherton (8-2)
Save -- None
Umpires: Flaherty, Lyon, Sykes
Time: 3:00
Attn: 2,819