No. 14 USC (27-7, 10-5 Big Ten) has been in a rough stretch over the past two weeks, relative to its record-breaking success to open the season. After starting the season 24-1, the Trojans are just 3-6 in their last nine matchups.

On Tuesday, the Trojans traveled to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium to play the second game of a home-and-home series against UC Santa Barbara (20-10, 8-4 Big West), after beating the Gauchos 7-6 on March 31. 

Hopes of reversing recent woes, especially the sweep from rival No. 1 UCLA (30-2, 15-0), should have been on the Trojans’ minds. However, the struggle continued, as USC lost 5-1 to the Gauchos, marking their fourth straight loss in less than a week and lowering their road record to 8-6.

Offense struggles against stout pitching staff 

Going into the matchup, the Trojans knew runs were going to be hard to come by, as UCSB boasts the lowest earned run average in the country, with a 2.89 ERA as a team. Despite this, USC still scored seven runs in its previous bout with the Gauchos. 

On Tuesday, however, the Trojans were unable to replicate this success: they tallied just one run and five hits in the game.

The lone Trojan run was a result of junior infielder Adrian Lopez’s double to lead off the fourth inning, one of his two hits on the day. Lopez advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, and junior outfielder Kevin Takeuchi’s sacrifice fly drove in Lopez, marking the only USC run of the contest. 

Similarly, junior infielder Abbrie Covarrubias continued to be reliable despite the slow offense, as he picked up two hits on the night. His leadoff sixth-inning double brought promise to the inning, yet ultimately amounted to no runs. 

Tuesday’s game marked only the second time this season the Trojans have been held to one run, with both resulting in losses. 

Sophomore catcher Augie Lopez, sophomore utility man Maximo Martinez and sophomore infielder Maddox Riske, while usually reliable, were hitless in 8 combined at-bats. 

Unlikely Gaucho hero pushes UCSB to victory 

The Trojans’ lack of offense opened the door for UCSB to pick up the win in the contest. The Gauchos struck first with a third-inning solo home run off the scoreboard from senior catcher Nate Vargas, and never looked back. 

Vargas, an unlikely hero for the Gauchos, came in batting below .200 and had only one home run and one double on the season. On Tuesday, he doubled both numbers, totaling three hits in four at-bats, in his strongest performance of the year. 

Redshirt sophomore pitcher Chase Herrell pitched the majority of the game in the previous contest against UCSB, but failed to do so this time, allowing two earned runs across just three innings. Herrell’s pitch count was significantly limited thanks to his recent appearance just two days prior against the Bruins.  

Junior reliever Sax Matson put together a strong outing from the bullpen, throwing two shutout innings while allowing just two Gauchos to reach base. Despite a solid outing from the Trojan pitching staff, the lack of run support wrapped up their loss. 

Trojans look to regain momentum 

USC has struggled against higher-level competition thus far — 0-4 in ranked matchups this season — including a loss to No. 7 Oregon State (25-7) and the recent sweep to UCLA. 

If the Trojans have aspirations of hosting a regional, they will have to win the big games. USC will have opportunities to boost its resume later in the season, including against No. 19 Nebraska (26-7, 11-1 Big Ten) and No. 21 Oregon (24-9, 8-4). 

The Trojans will look to get back on track with a three-game series this weekend at Dedeaux Field. They are set to face a decent Iowa team (18-12, 5-7) beginning Friday at 7 p.m.