Saturday, March 23
Seattle, WA
2:05 PM
University of Washington
13-5, 0
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8-13, 0
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Washington
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Huskies Enjoy Spectacular Ending In Extra-Innings Win Over USC
March 23, 2019 | Baseball
SEATTLE βΒ Kaiser Weiss made a spectacular running catch to keep the game tied in the 10th and Braiden Ward hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to lift Washington to a 4-3 win over USC Saturday at Husky Ballpark.
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The win clinched the series for the Huskies (13-5, 4-1 Pac-12) and was UW's seventh-straight Pac-12 series victory, dating back to 2018. Washington will try to complete the sweep against the Trojans (8-13, 2-3) on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
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In the Huskies' half of the 10th, Mason Cerrillo led off with a single and advanced to second on wild pitch. After Ben Baird walked, Weiss laid down a sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position. USC coach Dan Hubbs elected to walk Nick Roberts to set up a force at any base and he also brought in a fifth infielder, leaving the outfield with just two defenders.
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Ward was behind in the count 1-2 to USC closer Chris Clarke (2-2), but he was able to lift a fly ball deep enough into centerfield that scored Cerrillo from third.
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The fact that the Huskies were playing for the win and not the tie was a minor miracle. In the top of the 10th, Ben Ramirez hit a towering shot to right-center with CJ Stubbs on first base. It looked destined to fall safely in the gap for extra bases and the go-ahead run, but Weiss raced from his position in right field and made a breathtaking, diving catch across his body before the ball could reach the turf.
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"There was nothing lucky about that," UW Coach Linsday Meggs said of Weiss' heroic catch. "That was a big-league play."
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Weiss' catch typified the difference that defense can make in the game. UW scored its first three runs, thanks in large part to USC miscues.
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USC reliever Carson Lambert fell victim to shaky defense behind him in the seventh that cost the Trojans' a 2-1 lead. After Weiss and Roberts reached on one-out singles, Ward hit a line drive to Chase Bushor but the shortstop had the ball ricochet off his glove and into shallow left-field. Weiss, who was taking off with the crack of the bat, scored easily on the play to tie the game, 2-2.
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Averting what would have been a double play if the ball was caught, UW took advantage of its second chance by converting on yet another USC error. Ramon Bramasco hit a routine grounder to third with runners on first and second and Ramirez stepped on the bag for the second out of the inning but threw the ball away down the first-base line trying to turn the double play. Ward, who leads the Pac-12 with 15 stolen bases, scored all the way from first, just beating the relay throw to home.
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Ramirez would make up for his error an inning later in the seventh when he tied the game up, 3-3, with a two-out, RBI single off Stevie Emanuels. It was the only run allowed by Emanuels (2-1) in three innings of relief. He allowed three hits and struck out three to pick up his second win of the season.
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The Huskies had multiple scoring opportunities in the early going, but the USC defense was able to turn three double play that ended possible big innings. UW did break through in the third inning for a run, thanks to a Bramasco RBI single, but that was the only scoring for either team in the first half of the game.
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USC finally got to UW starter Jordan Jones in the sixth inning for a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. Jones had allowed just two hits through five innings before the first four Trojans reached by base hits to start the sixth. Bushor tied the game with an infield bunt single and Jamal O'Guinn gave USC its first lead of the series with a RBI single.
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Those would be the only two runs Jones allowed over 6 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out four.
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Unfortunately for Jones, his USC counterpart was equally strong on the mound. Isaac Esqueda kept the Husky hitters off balance for most of the day, allowing five hits and three walks. He did record three strikeouts and benefited from the three double plays turned by his defense with runners in scoring position.
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Both starters were long gone by the time the game ended in the 10th.
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Each team had 11 hits on the day. UW got great production from the bottom of the order as the six, seven, eight and nine hitters each chipped in with two hits.
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The Huskies will send Josh Burgmann (3-0, 0.82) to the hill as they go for the series sweep.
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The win clinched the series for the Huskies (13-5, 4-1 Pac-12) and was UW's seventh-straight Pac-12 series victory, dating back to 2018. Washington will try to complete the sweep against the Trojans (8-13, 2-3) on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Β
In the Huskies' half of the 10th, Mason Cerrillo led off with a single and advanced to second on wild pitch. After Ben Baird walked, Weiss laid down a sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position. USC coach Dan Hubbs elected to walk Nick Roberts to set up a force at any base and he also brought in a fifth infielder, leaving the outfield with just two defenders.
Β
Ward was behind in the count 1-2 to USC closer Chris Clarke (2-2), but he was able to lift a fly ball deep enough into centerfield that scored Cerrillo from third.
Β
The fact that the Huskies were playing for the win and not the tie was a minor miracle. In the top of the 10th, Ben Ramirez hit a towering shot to right-center with CJ Stubbs on first base. It looked destined to fall safely in the gap for extra bases and the go-ahead run, but Weiss raced from his position in right field and made a breathtaking, diving catch across his body before the ball could reach the turf.
Β
"There was nothing lucky about that," UW Coach Linsday Meggs said of Weiss' heroic catch. "That was a big-league play."
Β
Weiss' catch typified the difference that defense can make in the game. UW scored its first three runs, thanks in large part to USC miscues.
Β
USC reliever Carson Lambert fell victim to shaky defense behind him in the seventh that cost the Trojans' a 2-1 lead. After Weiss and Roberts reached on one-out singles, Ward hit a line drive to Chase Bushor but the shortstop had the ball ricochet off his glove and into shallow left-field. Weiss, who was taking off with the crack of the bat, scored easily on the play to tie the game, 2-2.
Β
Averting what would have been a double play if the ball was caught, UW took advantage of its second chance by converting on yet another USC error. Ramon Bramasco hit a routine grounder to third with runners on first and second and Ramirez stepped on the bag for the second out of the inning but threw the ball away down the first-base line trying to turn the double play. Ward, who leads the Pac-12 with 15 stolen bases, scored all the way from first, just beating the relay throw to home.
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Ramirez would make up for his error an inning later in the seventh when he tied the game up, 3-3, with a two-out, RBI single off Stevie Emanuels. It was the only run allowed by Emanuels (2-1) in three innings of relief. He allowed three hits and struck out three to pick up his second win of the season.
Β
The Huskies had multiple scoring opportunities in the early going, but the USC defense was able to turn three double play that ended possible big innings. UW did break through in the third inning for a run, thanks to a Bramasco RBI single, but that was the only scoring for either team in the first half of the game.
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USC finally got to UW starter Jordan Jones in the sixth inning for a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. Jones had allowed just two hits through five innings before the first four Trojans reached by base hits to start the sixth. Bushor tied the game with an infield bunt single and Jamal O'Guinn gave USC its first lead of the series with a RBI single.
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Those would be the only two runs Jones allowed over 6 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out four.
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Unfortunately for Jones, his USC counterpart was equally strong on the mound. Isaac Esqueda kept the Husky hitters off balance for most of the day, allowing five hits and three walks. He did record three strikeouts and benefited from the three double plays turned by his defense with runners in scoring position.
Β
Both starters were long gone by the time the game ended in the 10th.
Β
Each team had 11 hits on the day. UW got great production from the bottom of the order as the six, seven, eight and nine hitters each chipped in with two hits.
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The Huskies will send Josh Burgmann (3-0, 0.82) to the hill as they go for the series sweep.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Emanuels, Stevie (2-1)
L: Clarke, Chris (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Bushor, Chase 1 ; O'Guinn, Jamal 1 ; Lozano, Tyler 1 ; Rosas, Emilio 1 ; Perez, Brandon. 1
RBI: Bushor, Chase 1 ; O'Guinn, Jamal 1 ; Ramirez, Ben 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sabol, Blake 1 ; Bushor, Chase 1 ; Perez, Brandon. 1
CS: West, Bart 1
HBP: Stubbs, CJ 1
Batting:
2B: Weiss, Kaiser 1
RBI: Ward, Braiden 1 ; Bramasco, Ramon 1
SH: Ward, Braiden 1 ; Weiss, Kaiser 1
SF: Ward, Braiden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ward, Braiden 1 ; Cerrillo, Mason 1 ; Weiss, Kaiser 1 ; Roberts, Nick 1
SB: Ward, Braiden 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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