CORVALLIS, Ore. — The USC Trojans took care of business in the Corvallis Regional with wins on both Friday and Saturday over TCU and Saint Mary’s, respectively. Friday’s 13-1 victory over TCU marked the first time USC had made a postseason appearance since May 31, 2015. With the 6-4 win over Saint Mary’s on Saturday, the team will now head to the Regional final.
Ethan Hedges, who has consistently delivered for USC all season long with his bat, came through once again on Saturday. He opened the game with a solo home run in his first plate appearance. Then, with the game tied 3-3 in the fifth inning, he launched another solo shot to put the Trojans back on top.
BOT 1 | GET US GOING HEDGEY!!!! Solo homer to get the party started! ✌️💣
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) June 1, 2025
USC 1, SMC 0
📺 https://t.co/QC20Jna9pz
📊 https://t.co/cwxMGPvg4u#FightOn x @ethan_hedges pic.twitter.com/e58fy2sR4J
Richard Tejada then added an insurance run in the sixth with a two-out RBI single to make it 5-3.
BOT 6 | ATTA BOY RICHIE! Big RBI single for the Trojans in the sixth ✌️
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) June 1, 2025
USC 5, SMC 3
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📊 https://t.co/cwxMGPvNU2#FightOn x @richardtejeda16 pic.twitter.com/clf94hmkis
Saint Mary’s wasn’t going out without a fight, though. The Gaels made it a close game after bringing in a run on a sac fly to make it a one-run game in the eighth inning. Then, with two outs and a runner on third, left-hander Caden Hunter took over on the mound for USC and got the strikeout to strand the runner at third. Hunter then stayed in the game for the ninth inning and earned the save with three quick outs, sealing the 6-4 victory.
Yeah, what Coach said 😏
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) June 1, 2025
Back tomorrow at 7 pm with a chance to win the Regional ✌️#FightOn x #FiredUp pic.twitter.com/zqj5s01UtJ
Saturday’s victory was less of a nail-biter as the Trojans cruised to a 13-1 win. The star of the game was starter Caden Aoki, who delivered eight dominant innings, allowing just one run and striking out six.
No surprise here! @Cadenaoki left no doubt and absolutely shoved in the regional opener and earns the @YETICoolers Helmet of the Game! 👷♂️🧱✌️#FightOn x #Brick_By_Brick pic.twitter.com/G7xJX6RSeT
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) May 30, 2025
As for the USC bats, they put on a clinic from start to finish. Richard Tejada, Brayden Dowd, and Adrian Lopez led the way with three hits a piece. Lopez led the team with three RBI.
TOP 7 | A laser up the middle from Lopez brings in two! 🚀✌️
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) May 30, 2025
USC 9, TCU 1
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📊 https://t.co/uB1AgK1Z5O#FightOn x @alopez1100 pic.twitter.com/g3YGU2wu7E
USC went on a little bit of a skid after defeating UCLA to win its eleventh straight series in early May, losing five of its next seven games and then splitting a win with a loss in the Big Ten Tournament. However, it seems that the Trojans are now on a roll again at the perfect time with these two victories.
For the Regional final, USC is set to take on the winner of Oregon State and Saint Mary’s at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
With a victory on Sunday, USC will be looking to make its first Super Regional appearance since 2005.