LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Towson allowed four runs in the first inning and were not able to recover as they fell, 17-1, to USC in the 2015 season opener at Dedeaux Field.
 
"We didn't play well in any phase of the game tonight," said head coach Mike Gottlieb.  "They took advantage of every mistake that we made.  We are capable of playing better and we are going to need to play better."
 
The Trojans (1-0) jumped out quickly as Dante Flores delivered a two-run triple as part of the four-run first inning.
 
After USC Added a run in the second, the Tigers (0-1) got on the board in the top of the third as Chris Henze delivered a leadoff double to left field.  After taking third on a groundout off the bat of A.J. Gallo, Henze raced home on a wild pitch.
 
The game was all Trojans from that point as they pushed across five runs in the home-half of the third, and scored four more in the sixth.
 
Bruce Zimmermann (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing seven earned runs over 2.1 innings.  Brent Wheatley (1-0) picked up the victory after allowing one run and striking out 10 over six innings.
 
"Their guy had a slider that we had trouble picking up," said Gottlieb.  "We had some guys make adjustments and it showed.  We are going to go sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow and move forward.  It is only one game."
 
Seven different Tigers collected hits in the game.  Brent Butler and Henze each collected a double.
 
The two teams will play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday evening at 9 p.m. (EST).  The Tigers will send right hander Kevin Ross to the mound, while the Trojans will counter with left hander Kyle Twomey.