CORVALLIS, Ore. — Saint Mary’s coach Eric Valenzuela knew who he didn’t want to beat him.
Valenzuela said before Saturday night’s matchup with USC that Ethan Hedges is the scariest hitter in the Trojans’ lineup even though the midseason All-American hadn’t played to the same standard in the second half. Hedges was hitting .415 with 22 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs, and 39 RBIs through USC’s first 32 games. But since April 8, Hedges had lacked the same electricity. Over a 25-game span, he had batted .247 with just five extra-base hits and 17 RBIs.