The Big Ten Tournament was a microcosm of USC baseball’s 2026 season: blowouts of lesser opponents and close losses to better competition. 

The No. 25 Trojans (43-15, 20-10 Big Ten) came into the tournament cautiously optimistic, coming off their first-ranked win of the season in the final regular-season series against Oregon (40-16, 20-10), despite losing the series after dropping two nailbiters to the Ducks. 

USC earned a bye that helped it avoid pool play, where it was eliminated in 2025. The Trojans shut out Michigan State (24-32, 11-19) in their quarterfinal game Friday to advance to the semifinals, where they were ultimately bested by No. 1 UCLA (51-6, 28-2) and sent out of the tournament in dramatic fashion on a walk-off three-run home run.

Nonetheless, USC’s regular season was its best in over two decades, achieving at least 40 wins for the first time since 2005 and its best start in program history. This success was enough to land the Trojans a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, continuing the recent success under Head Coach Andy Stankiewicz.

Downpour doesn’t stop Trojans’ dominant victory

The Trojans were likely relieved to have drawn the No. 12-seeded Spartans, who were the last team in the field yet managed to make it out of pool play by winning their two matchups. However, USC did not pull any punches when it came to ending Michigan State’s improbable tournament run, as junior pitcher Mason Edwards took the bump in the Trojans’ 7-0 victory. 

The Trojans’ ace, who was honored as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year on May 19, dominated as he has all season, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out six batters. Edwards’ start was cut short, as he only pitched four innings before a 90-minute rain delay, after which he did not return.

USC’s offense backed up the pitching rotation, racking up seven extra-base hits from six different Trojans. One of the key contributors to the Trojan offensive attack was junior infielder Kevin Takeuchi. Takeuchi had two doubles Friday, one of them bringing in the first run of the game that gave USC a lead it wouldn’t look back from. 

Another impactful Trojan was junior infielder Abbrie Covarrubias, who made his first start since May 2. Covarrubias was one of five USC hitters with an RBI, as his double knocked in two Trojans and helped to guide them into the semifinals. 

USC once again falls short in rivalry battle

It’s safe to say that UCLA has had USC’s number in 2026. After getting swept by the Bruins in a three-game series in April, the Trojans had a chance at redemption with a trip to the conference championship game on the line.

However, Saturday’s game was no different than the previous three, as USC lost 7-5 on a walk-off home run.

The fourth matchup of the season between the two rivals was a back-and-forth duel, as USC held the edge early thanks to superb offensive performances by sophomore catcher Augie Lopez and junior infielder Adrian Lopez. 

Augie Lopez reached base four times in the battle, recording two hits, two walks and two RBIs that propelled the Trojans in the early innings. Adrian Lopez also tallied two hits in the matchup and scored twice. The pair contributed a double each, which accounted for both of USC’s extra-base hits in the game. 

The Trojan pitching staff was initially able to keep UCLA’s dominant offense in check, as sophomore pitcher Grant Govel and freshman pitcher Gavin Lauridsen combined to allow only three runs in six innings. 

It was only a matter of time before the Bruins began to mount their comeback, though, as they held the lead going into the ninth inning before both Augie Lopez and Adrian Lopez scored to regain the lead for USC.

Redshirt junior pitcher Adam Troy was set up to seal the rivalry win for the Trojans in the ninth inning and send them to the championship. However, only needing one more out, Troy gave up a three-run bomb to UCLA junior first baseman Mulivai Levu — who hit a walk-off the night before for the Bruins — to eliminate USC from the tournament in heartbreaking fashion. 

Trojans look ahead to NCAA Tournament

The conference tournament was USC’s final opportunity to show why it deserves to host a regional. The Trojans have the No. 9-ranked RPI and 32nd-best strength of schedule in the country, which, on paper, could have been enough to earn a hosting bid. 

Despite this, there are some major holes in USC’s resume. The Trojans boast just a 1-11 record in Quadrant 1 matchups, the worst out of any team in the top 25 of RPI, along with only one win over a ranked opponent. 

On Monday, USC was awarded a No. 2 seed and placed in the College Station Regional hosted by No. 12 overall seed Texas A&M (39-14, 18-11 SEC). The Trojans will begin their regional journey against Texas State (36-24, 16-14 Sun Belt) Friday at 6 p.m. at Blue Bell Park.