FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
LOS ANGELES – USC baseball has announced the team’s 2013 schedule, which includes contests against 10 teams that made the NCAA postseason in 2012. In addition to the tough Pac-12 slate that includes defending national champion Arizona, this year’s team will face off in nonconference series with 2012 NCAA Super Regional qualifiers TCU and Oklahoma, and NCAA Regional teams Fresno State and Louisville.
The young 2013 Trojans kick things off Friday, Feb. 16 at Cal State Fullerton. The team will continue opening weekend on the road at Cal State Bakersfield Saturday, Feb. 17 before returning to Dedeaux Field for its home opener against Nebraska on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Highlights in the Trojans nonconference schedule include a three-game set on the road at Fresno State March 1-3 and a visit from 2012 NCAA Super Regional qualifier TCU for three in the middle of Pac-12 play, May 2-4.
Traditional midweek rivals will also prove to be tough competition, with 2012 NCAA Regional qualifiers Pepperdine and perennial favorites Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton.
In the Pac-12 Conference, USC faces 2012 NCAA Super Regional qualifiers Oregon and Stanford at home, in addition to Arizona State and Washington State. The Trojans finish out the 2013 home schedule with a three-game set with crosstown rival and 2012 College World Series participant UCLA.
The team’s road conference schedule includes trips to Washington, California and 2012 NCAA Regional qualifier Oregon State. The Trojans final regular season series is on the road at defending NCAA champion Arizona.
Other tough nonconference tilts come against Notre Dame on March 8 and NCAA Super Regional qualifier Oklahoma on March 9. The Trojans will take to Louisville to face the 2012 NCAA qualifier Cardinals on March 19 and 20.
“I think it is a really good schedule with TCU coming in during the middle of conference play,” head coach Frank Cruz stated. “We have our traditional midweek games in addition to playing the likes of Nebraska, Oklahoma and Fresno State. This is one of the tougher schedules that we have had in the recent years and will probably be one of the toughest in the country as far as RPIs of opponents goes. That is the way it is supposed to be here, and I think it will be a great challenge for our young group of players.”
