Utah boasts one of the best offenses in the Pac-12 this season, in part because the Utes effectively blend a mix of simple base hits and base running with a dash of power. Naturally, one of the first tasks for USC in its Pac-12 Tournament opener against the Utes is stymying that attack.
But it’s a job easier said than done, according to Trojans head coach Andy Stankiewicz. He jumped on the Pac-12 Network broadcast early in the contest and examined how his team can slow the Utes offense.
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“But this a scary offense because they can run so well,” Stankiewicz said. “They’ve got some big, big whoppers that can drive the baseball as well. But we’ve gotta work at it, I know that.”
As Stankiewicz spoke to the broadcast in the top of the 3rd inning, the Utes offense showed up, pushing across a pair of runs — the first coming on a safety squeeze put beautifully up the first base line. They would tack on two more in the top of the 4th inning to give Utah a 4-1 lead.
Such a situation will also test how far Stankiewicz wants to let starting pitcher Caden Aoki go. After throwing around 50 pitches over the weekend, the head coach doesn’t expect to let his ace throw for more than 70 or 75 pitches.
“Well, probably — last outing he hit 50. Probably in that 70, 75 mark, kind of see how he’s feeling. We’ve gotta kind of protect that a little bit,” Stankiewicz said.
Already trailing midway through the game, the Trojans will need to stem the tide and tack on some runs, but after a slow start to the season ended up picking up steam and landing USC a No. 4 seed in the conference, Stankiewicz is confident his Trojans can do just the same on Tuesday.
“I think just settling in,” Stankiewicz said. We got off to a tough start but just told the guys, ‘We’ve got a long ways to go. Stay on it, keep working, show up everyday. We’re going to get.’ And to their credit and a coaching staff that doesn’t give an inch, just keeps on making sure that they show up ready to go and the guys buy in. And I think we’ve been swinging the bats better as of late and then having this young guy back here, Caden Aoki, he’s certainly a positive.
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