USC FINDS MORE HEROES IN WIN TROJANS BLANK FRESNO STATE, ADVANCE USC 8, FRESNO STATE 0.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

For every Brian Barre and Alberto Concepcion, fixtures in USC's 2001 baseball success, consider Abel Montanez and Anthony Reyes.

Montanez, who began the year as the Trojans' starting left fielder, hit .196.

Reyes, the third starter in the pitching rotation, was 1-3 with an earned-run average near 5.00 in late April.

But Montanez and Reyes raised their level of play when it counted and were at the center of USC's NCAA Regional championship drive. Reyes' 8-0 complete-game shutout Sunday of Fresno State at Dedeaux Field advances the Trojans (42-17) to this weekend's super regionals.

Sites are to be announced today. The Trojans, the national No. 3 seed, are expected to host the winner of the rain-delayed South Bend, Ind., regional. Notre Dame plays Florida International today.

USC freshman third baseman Michael Moon (.538 average, one home run, five RBI) was named the regional's most outstanding player. All-tournament selections Concepcion (.462, one home run, four RBI) and Barre (.455) excelled.

So did Montanez. The senior hit .417 with a home run and three RBI. His two sparkling defensive plays from right field were overshadowed Saturday because of Moon's dramatic two-run homer in the ninth to beat Pepperdine.

``I've had definite highs and lows here at SC,'' said Montanez, who also broke out in the 2000 regional at Cal State Fullerton.

A Bishop Amat High graduate, Montanez advanced from being team manager and seldom-used reserve his first 2 1/2 years to a postseason hero at USC.

``This year was by far the most difficult just because of the fact that I know what I'm capable of. ... In my wildest dreams, I couldn't imagine having as tough a season as this year,'' he said.

Wherever the Trojans' season ends - they're seeking a third trip to the College World Series in four attempts - don't question their loyalty.

When asked about Montanez's regional accomplishments given his struggles throughout the season, some USC players beside him at Sunday's postgame press conference angrily shook their heads.

``We've got 25 fighters on this team,'' Montanez said. ``You ask that question and you've got all those guys (standing up for me). I guarantee you that's how the other 20 guys on the team feel.''

Concepcion concurred. ``I think we are really tight. We support each other. If something happens to one of our players, we're going to back them up no matter what.''

The surging Reyes (5-3) solidifies the Trojans' case as legitimate national championship contenders when factoring in the top two starting spots filled by Mark Prior (13-1) and Rik Currier (11-2).

Since losing to Stanford on April 22, Reyes is 4-0, allowing one earned run in 33 innings (0.27 ERA). He smothered Fresno State's lineup. The Bulldogs (41-25) managed three hits off Reyes and struck out 10 times.

``Certainly I think our starting pitching could match up with most people's,'' Trojans coach Mike Gillespie said. ``We felt all along that Reyes is not only capable, but that he was an elite pitcher.''

ALL-REGIONAL TEAM

Catcher: Alberto Concepcion (USC)

First base: Jared Pitney (Pepperdine)

Second base: Oscar Lopez (Fresno State)

Shortstop: Josh Labandeira (Fresno State)

Third base: Michael Moon (USC)

Left field: Casey McGehee (Fresno State)

Center field: Brian Barre (USC)

Right field: Abel Montanez (USC)

Designated hitter: Dan Haren (Pepperdine)

Pitchers: Noah Lowry (Pepperdine) and Anthony Reyes (USC)

Most outstanding player: Moon

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ALL-REGIONAL TEAM (see text)