Trojans to scrimmage at stadium

Former La Quinta resident and current USC baseball coach Chad Kreuter will bring his baseball team to the desert this weekend. The Trojans will play two Cardinal vs. Gold scrimmages at Palm Springs Stadium today and Saturday. Following today's 10:30 a.m. California Winter League game, the Trojans will conduct a 4:15 p.m. Cardinal vs. Gold intrasquad game.

USC will hold another intrasquad game at 1 p.m. Saturday after the conclusion of the California Winter League game that starts at 10:30 a.m.

Patrons who attend the CWL game can stay for the Cardinal vs. Gold game free of charge. Tickets are $5 for adults with children 12 and under receiving free admission. Tickets for the CWL game are $7 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.

Following today's intrasquad game, the California Winter League will host a post-game barbecue featuring the Trojan players and coaching staff.

Fans who attend will get an opportunity to mingle with the ball club and listen to Kreuter speak about the upcoming PAC-10 season.

Tickets for the barbecue are $15.

Tickets for these events can be purchased at the gates. For more information, call the California Winter League office at (760) 778- HITS (4487) or visit CaliforniaWinterLeague.com.

“We are very excited to bring in one of the nation's elite baseball programs to the desert for the second year in a row,” Palm Springs Chill owner Andrew Starke said.

The Trojans, who have won more NCAA Division I championships than any other university, have only five seniors on the roster. But Kreuter believes this may be his best team yet.

“I'm starting my fourth year here at USC, and I personally think this is my best team so far. We have a lot of depth and balance which is what the club needs,” Kreuter said.