Trojans are hoping to stay perfect on the season

The USC baseball team is hoping to stay undefeated on the season tonight against the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Trojans (4-0) built upon a three-game sweep last weekend against Towson University by beating No. 25 Cal State Fullerton on the road Tuesday night, 6-4.

Junior outfielder David Oppenheim got the offense started against Fullerton with a solo home run in the second inning. However, senior catcher Garrett Stubbs paced the offense for the Trojans, going 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored.

Freshman Mason Perryman threw four innings and gave up two runs on six hits while striking out two and walking two in his first career collegiate start.

The Trojans used three relievers to finish off the game. Sophomore Bernardo Flores got the win after throwing three innings of two-run ball. Junior Marc Huberman struck out the side in a scoreless eighth inning and fellow junior Kyle Davis recorded his second save of the season after striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Coming off their fourth- straight win, the Trojans will face the University of Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) tonight at Dedeaux Field. Junior pitcher Tyler Gilbert will make his second start of the season.

USC head coach Dan Hubbs said he’s excited with the success his team has had so far, especially after going on the road to beat a talented Fullerton team. However, he stressed that the Trojans cannot get caught up in their recent success and must maintain focus throughout the entire season.

“I think the biggest thing is we went into Fullerton and won,” Hubbs said. “It was a good test for our guys, the first road test at a good program and a great atmosphere, and we won a tough game. I’m excited about the 4-0 start but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t keep winning.”

The Trojans get their next chance to extend their four-game winning streak tonight, but they face a big challenge against a talented Kentucky team. The Wildcats qualified for the NCAA Regionals last season with a 37-25 overall record, marking the     sixth-most wins in Kentucky history.

This season, the Wildcats have come out strong again with impressive 11-7 and 10-1 victories against Ball State University and the University of Richmond, respectively.

However, successful programs such as Kentucky do not intimidate the Trojans, as Hubbs believes they approach every opponent the same way.

“We’re playing the game — not the opponent,” Hubbs said. “If we play well, we know we’re going to be in every game, and that’s really the focus. I can’t worry about whether we’re playing Kentucky or Fullerton or whoever we’re playing. We just have to be the best team on the field that day.”

The Trojans have benefitted from early success on both sides of the ball this season, pitching to a 2.50 ERA and hitting for a .307 average as a team through four games. However, the Wildcats have featured dominant            early-season pitching and hitting as well, batting .368 and limiting opponents to a 2.50 ERA as a team through two games.

Senior second baseman Dante Flores says USC has to stick to playing fundamental baseball in order to beat Kentucky.

“Our pitchers have to throw strikes and let our defense make plays behind them,” Flores said. “Our hitters have to move the runners, score the runner from third base and just do the little things. Play the little game of baseball I don’t think we should run into any problems [against Kentucky].”

Coming off the big win against Fullerton and a strong season last spring, the Trojans view this season as an opportunity to prove themselves as an elite ball club. With strong playoff aspirations this season, Hubbs believes the team must capitalize on every opportunity in order to win.

“We have to win those close games and we have to beat teams that we’re supposed to beat,” Hubbs said. “We can’t give any games away.”

The confidence surrounding  the Trojans is palpable, and Flores sent out a warning to the rest of the conference that the Trojans are a force to be reckoned with.

“I think we can win the [Pac-12] and be a contender for regionals, Flores said. “We feel like we’re going to contend this year and surprise a lot of people.