May 12, 2013

Box Score

LOS ANGELES - Nigel Nootbaar blanked Washington State on seven hits and USC took the rubber game of a three-game Pac-12 Conference series 11-0, Sunday.

Nootbaar (2-4) struck out three and walked three. The Cougars (21-26, 8-16 Pac-12) had some chances, but could not break through against the USC (19-30, 10-14 Pac-12) hurler.

Washington State had two runners cut down on the bases on the second, pushed runners to second and third with two outs in the fourth, and loaded the bases with one out in the ninth.

The Trojans scored three unearned runs against Cougar starter Jason Monda (2-2) in the third inning after an error by shortstop Trace Tam Sing. USC added two runs in the fifth against reliever Sean Hartnett on three hits and a sacrifice fly.

USC tacked on four runs on four hits in the sixth inning against Sam Triece and Kyle Swannack combined. An Adam Nelubowich error at third bases opened the door for two unearned runs off Matt Bower in the eighth.

The Cougars travel to UC Santa Barbara for a nonconference game, Monday at 3 p.m.