USC baseball delivered an impressive performance over the weekend, completing a three-game sweep of Ohio State at Great Park in Irvine. The Trojans showcased their resilience, offensive firepower and clutch pitching to secure three hard-fought victories, extending their series winning streak against conference opponents to four. 

The series opener Friday set the tone for the weekend, as USC (20-11, 9-6 Big Ten) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Trojan offense showed out in the first inning with five runs, capitalizing on Ohio State (8-20, 2-10) sophomore pitcher Drew Erdmann’s shaky command. 

“We’ve tried to, as a staff, just help the guys understand the importance of handling the baseball well,” said Head Coach Andy Stankiewicz. “Be a little more fundamental with our day-to-day approach to the game, and just make every play matter.”

Sophomore infielder and outfielder Kevin Takeuchi delivered a crucial two-run double, while sophomore infielder Abbrie Covarrubias added an RBI single to fuel the early outburst.

Despite managing just two hits in the first inning, USC took advantage of walks and hit-by-pitches to build a comfortable lead. From there, the pitching staff took over, with ace junior pitcher Caden Hunter battling through 5.1 innings, allowing just three runs while striking out seven. Sophomore pitcher Brodie Purcell secured a remarkable 11-out save — retiring all but one of the batters he faced in nearly four innings of relief. 

Saturday’s game was a back-and-forth thriller, featuring multiple lead changes and some late-inning heroics. Ohio State fought hard, but USC’s offense erupted when it mattered most, scoring nine runs over the final three innings to secure a 12-9 win. 

Junior infielder and pitcher Ethan Hedges, the team’s two-way standout, did it all for the Trojans. Hedges smashed a triple, a home run and two RBIs before taking the mound in the ninth to close out the game for his eighth save of the year.  

The Trojans trailed 9-7 entering the bottom of the eighth but rallied with two outs, with freshman utility player Maximo Martinez squaring the game with a clutch two-run double. Sophomore catcher Andrew Lamb followed with an RBI triple and sophomore infielder Dean Carpentier provided insurance with a two-run homer. 

The series finale Sunday was another thriller, with USC completing the sweep in walk-off fashion. After falling behind in the sixth, the Trojans battled back, with sophomore outfielder Brayden Dowd tying the game in the ninth inning with a solo home run. Hedges then drew a walk, stole second and scored the winning run on Carpentier’s RBI single, capping off a 10-9 victory.

Ohio State took a late lead with a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by senior infielder Ryan Miller’s grand slam, but USC’s bullpen held firm down the stretch. Sophomore pitcher Andrew Harbour delivered 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, earning his first win of the season. 

One of the biggest storylines of the series was the continued dominance of Hedges, who solidified his case as one of the nation’s premier two-way players. The two-way junior went 4-for-10 at the plate with a home run, a triple and multiple RBIs while recording a save on the mound. His ability to impact the game in various ways has been invaluable for USC. Hedges’ .412 batting average, 11 home runs and eight saves all lead the Trojans. 

“[Hedges is] a great young man … really humble, and really liked by his teammates,” Stankiewicz said. “His success has helped us be successful as a team.”

USC’s bullpen emerged as a significant strength during the series, with Purcell, Harbour and Hedges combining for 7.1 scoreless innings. Harbour’s clutch performance in the finale provided much-needed stability, while Hedges’ ability to close out games has given the Trojans a reliable finisher.

Offensively, the Trojans received contributions up and down the lineup, with several players stepping up in critical moments. Carpentier was a standout, going 4-for-10 in the series with a home run and multiple RBIs, including the walk-off hit in the finale. Martinez provided a spark off the bench with timely hits, while Dowd’s ninth-inning homer on Sunday kept USC’s hopes alive. 

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Stankiewicz said. “But we’re setting some good stones down to make it happen.”

The Trojans face a quick turnaround with a midweek matchup with Loyola Marymount (16-16, 4-5 West Coast Conference) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Page Stadium in Los Angeles. After that, the Trojans will head to Penn State for a crucial Big Ten series with the Nittany Lions (21-10, 9-6).