University of Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz.- The Arizona baseball team (19-13, 2-2 Pac-10) ran into the top pitcher in the country in its Pac-10 home opener Friday night and gave him an eight run cushion in the first two innings to work with. The Wildcats, who managed only three hits off of USC ace Mark Prior (6-1) on the evening, committed three errors allowing eight unearned runs to score in the first and second innings.

From then on it was all Prior, as the No.1 collegiate pitcher and likely top pick in June's amateur draft cruised through the Arizona lineup on his way to 15 punch outs with zero walks. Freshman Brian Anderson, senior Ernie Durazo and junior Justyn St. Clair were the lone Wildcats to reach base. Of the 104 pitches that Prior threw, 83 went for strikes.

Arizona starter Marc Kaiser (5-2) held his own, going seven innings while surrendering nine hits and all eight unearned runs. Anthony Lunetta, Bill Peavey and Michael Moon all paired hits for USC. Peavey and Moon each drove in two a piece.

Arizona and USC will meet for game two of the three game set on Saturday. Game time is set 1 p.m. with the scheduled starters being Sean Rierson for UA and Rik Currier for USC.