LOS ANGELES - Knotted at 1-1 headed into the bottom of the sixth, USC (7-7-1, 2-1 Pac-12) scored three runs in the sixth to earn a 4-1 victory over No. 2 Stanford (10-5, 1-2 Pac-12) on Sunday from Dedeaux Field. With the win, USC earned its first series win over Stanford since 2015.
Junior Joey Dixon pitched well in his first start of the season, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Drew Dowd (0-1) was ultimately saddled with the loss after surrendering three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk over one inning of work.
Stanford managed just four hits in the loss, including a pair from junior Eddie Park. Junior Carter Graham had Stanford's lone extra-base hit, lofting a double down the right field line in the ninth to finish 1-for-1.
The Cardinal got off to a great start, plating a run in the first after Park singled, moved to second on an errant pickoff throw, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on an RBI-groundout from Alberto Rios. Unfortunately, USC's pitching staff buckled down from there, combining to allow just three more hits while striking out 11 Cardinal batters over the final 8 2/3 scoreless innings.
Fisher Johnson was credited with the win after logging three scoreless innings of work with three strikeouts. Johnson improved to 1-2 on the year, while Garrett Clarke recorded his second save after striking out a pair in a scoreless ninth inning.
Tied 1-1, Stanford put a runner at third with only one out in the third and fourth innings, but was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. On the other side, USC scored its three runs in the sixth after taking advantage of a pair of bunt singles that were accompanied by throwing errors.
GAME NOTES
» Stanford pitchers faced 35 USC hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out five.
» USC was led offensively by junior Carson Wells, who went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI.