USC Baseball Alum Lars Nootbaar Leads St. Louis Cardinals to Victory Against Los Angeles Dodgers
Last week, former USC baseball player Lars Nootbaar made a triumphant return to Los Angeles as he helped the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the hometown Dodgers. The Cardinals’ victory was a sweet one for Nootbaar, who played for USC from 2016-2018 before being drafted by the Cardinals in 2018.
Nootbaar, a standout outfielder during his time at USC, has been making a name for himself in the minor leagues since being drafted. And last week, he proved that he has what it takes to compete at the major league level.
The game against the Dodgers was a close one, with both teams putting up a strong fight. But it was Nootbaar’s impressive performance that ultimately helped the Cardinals secure the win. In the sixth inning, Nootbaar hit a crucial two-run homer, giving the Cardinals the lead and ultimately securing their victory.
After the game, Nootbaar expressed his excitement and gratitude for being able to contribute to the team’s success. “It’s always special to come back to LA and play in front of friends and family,” he said. “But to be able to help my team get a win against a tough opponent like the Dodgers is an incredible feeling.”
Nootbaar’s former USC teammates and coaches were also proud of his performance, with USC head coach Jason Gill tweeting,
Lars Nootbaar: From USC to the Cardinals, Making a Mark in the Big Leagues
Born and raised in sunny Southern California, Lars Nootbaar has always had a passion for baseball. He honed his skills at the University of Southern California, where he became an all-conference outfielder. Now, Nootbaar is making a name for himself in St. Louis as a professional baseball player for the Cardinals.
Last week, Nootbaar returned to his hometown of Los Angeles as the Cardinals faced off against the Dodgers, the team he grew up cheering for. In a thrilling first game of the series, the former USC star made a game-changing play to help secure a win for his team.
Nootbaar’s Game-Saving Catch
With the Cardinals leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dodgers had a runner on first base with no outs. Dodgers’ shortstop Mookie Betts hit a blooper that seemed destined to drop into right field for a base hit. But Nootbaar had other plans. He sprinted in and made a spectacular diving catch, securing the first out of the inning and preventing the tying run from scoring.
Thanks to Nootbaar’s incredible play, the Cardinals held on to win the game 3-2. They went on to take two out of three games at Dodger Stadium, making it a successful homecoming series for Nootbaar.
The Dodgers’ Challenge Ahead
But for the Dodgers, Nootbaar’s play serves as a reminder of the tight race they are in. They currently trail the San Diego Padres by just one game in the National League West and are half a game behind the Chicago Cubs for home-field advantage in a potential wild card series.
With the playoffs looming, every game counts for the Dodgers. And as they just suffered a sweep by the neighboring Los Angeles Angels, they need to bounce back and make sure Nootbaar’s play doesn’t become the deciding factor in their postseason fate.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC’s Lars Nootbaar Creates Tension in Dodgers’ Season
