Flores Dazzles Arkansas in USC Victory

Arkansas has seen enough of USC’s Randy Flores. Enough of Trojan hitters Marc Mirizzi and Greg Walbridge. Enough to crown USC winner in the Central II Region of the NCAA baseball playoffs two days before the final.

“As far as I’m concerned, they are the best team here,” Arkansas pitcher Matt Carnes said after the Trojans’ 15-5 victory Friday at Dan Law Field in Lubbock, Texas. “They are the best team we’ve played, and I don’t see anyone beating them.”

Flores gave up 10 hits, but only one for extra bases. And Walbridge, Morgan Ensberg and Mirizzi, the Trojans’ No. 5-6-7 hitters, were a combined 11 for 14 with eight runs batted in and scored six runs.

USC eliminated the Razorbacks and advanced to play Oklahoma State today at 9 a.m. PDT.

“Today was a case of too much Flores, and then we just couldn’t stop them,” Arkansas Coach Norm DeBriyn said.

Flores’ only lapses came in the opening inning, when Kit Pellow hit a three-run home run, and in the fifth, when the Razorbacks got two runs on four singles. The left-hander kept the Razorbacks at bay while his teammates got 21 hits, USC’s second-highest this season, against five pitchers.

USC blew open a 3-3 game by scoring five runs in the fifth inning. Jacque Jones hit a two-run home run, Walbridge got one of his five hits, and Mirizzi had one of his four RBIs. The Trojans added three runs in the sixth and three more in the eighth.

Texas Tech 7, Akron 2--Ryan Brewer pitched a seven-hitter, giving up only two unearned runs, as the Red Raiders eliminated the Zips.