The USC Trojans baseball squad is back on the diamond for an elimination contest against Texas State, a team that edged them out 5‑4 in their most recent meeting.
A narrow defeat
In that opening game the Trojans left 13 runners on base and went 1‑14 with runners in scoring position, a reminder of how close the contest was despite a 10‑hit, four‑walk effort that was marred by 12 strikeouts.
Broadcast and betting odds
The showdown is slated for 1 p.m. Pacific Time and will stream live on ESPN+, while sportsbooks list USC as a -238 favorite and Texas State at +180 to advance.
Next opponent
Whichever side wins will travel to face Texas A&M in the following round, a matchup that could reshape the tournament bracket.
Coach’s strategy
USC coach Andy Stankiewicz said the team is focused on getting ace Mason Edwards ready for future outings, even though the pitcher may not take the mound again on Sunday after his start against Lamar University.
The Trojans’ recent performance against Lamar showed a mix of resilience and fatigue, with five different pitchers used by Texas State to secure the win.