USC Eyes College World Series Spot
The USC Trojans baseball squad is on the brink of securing a place in the 2026 College World Series after a dramatic 8‑run rally in the sixth and seventh innings handed them a 5‑4 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the opening game of the Super Regional.
USC, listed as a +154 underdog, will look to close out the series on Saturday at 11 a.m. PT, a broadcast that will stream live on ESPN. A win would mark the Trojans' first appearance in the CWS since 2001, ending a quarter‑century drought that has hung over the program.
The team finished the regular season with a 48‑16 record and a 20‑10 mark in Big Ten play, earning the No. 2 seed in the College Station Regional. After dropping into the losers' bracket, USC fought back through five straight wins, including a decisive victory over the Texas A&M Aggies that set up the showdown with North Carolina.
North Carolina, favored at -200 and sitting at +750 to win the CWS, must win two elimination games in a row to stay alive. The Tar Heels entered the Super Regional with the fifth‑best odds to capture the national title, while USC held the seventh‑best at +950.
What’s at Stake
Beyond the historic return to the College World Series, the upcoming game carries significant betting implications. The over/under for the contest is set at 10 runs, and the betting market reflects a tightly contested battle, with DraftKings Sportsbook offering odds that underscore the Trojans' underdog status.
If USC prevails, the victory will not only rewrite the program’s recent narrative but also provide a boost to the players' profiles, including standout performances from shortstop Dean Carpentier, who delivered a grand slam in the opening game, as well as pitchers Mason Edwards and Colin Hynek, who have been instrumental throughout the Super Regional run.