UCLA Beats USC, 5-2, Clinches Tie for Title

UCLA’s Alex Sanchez pitched a five-hitter, and the Bruins clinched at least a tie for the Pacific 10 Southern Division title Friday with a 5-2 victory over USC at Jackie Robinson Field.

Sanchez, who allowed only one earned run and struck out eight, won his 16th game of the year, tops in the nation. It was the Bruins’ eighth straight decision over USC.

With the Trojans leading, 1-0, UCLA scored three runs in the third inning, the key blow a two-run single by John Joslyn.

UCLA (37-21 overall, 19-9 in conference) leads Stanford by two games with two to go. The Bruins can win their first outright title in seven years if they take either of the two remaining games with USC (26-25, 12-16)or if Stanford loses one of its remaining games.