LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A failed pickoff attempt in the bottom of the sixth inning helped the game-winning run to score on a sacrifice fly as USC defeated Towson, 8-6, in the final game of a three-game series Sunday afternoon at Dedeaux Field.
 
With the game tied 6-6, Garrett Stubbs singled into the hole at first.  After advancing to third when a pickoff attempt got down the right-field line, Jeremy Martinez delivered a sacrifice fly to center field for what turned out to be the game-winning run.
 
The Tigers (0-3) jumped out early as Chris Ruszin walked in the second inning and scored on a Spencer Sutton home run to right center. 
 
After the Trojans (3-0) got a run back in the home-half of the second, Brady Policelli hit a solo home run to right in the third inning.  An error and a pair of walks loaded the bases later in the inning, and Billy Plante followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.
 
The fourth inning was the big one for the Trojans as they took advantage of a pair of Tigers errors to push across five runs and take a 6-4 lead.
 
Towson battled back in the sixth as Plante singled and Ruszin walked to start the inning.  After a groundout advanced both runners, Mark Grunberg beat out an infield single to score Plante.  A wild pitch followed, allowing Plante to score, before a double-play ball ended the inning.
 
USC tacked on an insurance run in the eighth for the final margin.
 
Austin Clark (0-1) was saddled with the loss despite not allowing an earned run.  The junior allowed one unearned run on two hits over three innings of work.  Marc Huberman (1-0) picked up the victory after allowing two hits over two innings of shutout relief.  Kyle Davis earned his first save by striking out four in 1.2 innings.
 
Sutton led the offense by going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.  Grunberg and Policelli each added two hits and an RBI.
 
The Tigers return to the diamond Feb. 25 as they welcome UMBC to Shuerholz Field for the 2015 home opener.  First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.