LOS ANGELES — When USC needed a big start Sunday afternoon from freshman Stephen Tarpley, he supplied it.
Tarpley improved to 5-1 on the season, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing only two runs on six hits and a walk to help the Trojans (22-17, 7-10) to a 6-2 victory and a series win over visiting Oregon State (28-14, 8-10).
Tarpley struggled in the first inning, allowing back-to-back doubles to open the game, but found his groove shortly after.
