The University of Southern California baseball squad is kicking off the 2026 campaign with a three‑game series against Rice, marking the first step of a season‑opening homestand that will see the Trojans take the field at their brand‑new Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles.
The Trojans arrive with a perfect 4‑0 record after sweeping Pepperdine and edging out Loyola Marymount, a momentum that has already drawn the attention of fans and media alike. All games will be streamed live on B1G+, with real‑time updates posted on the official USC baseball website and its X account, giving supporters a seamless way to follow every pitch.
A Strong Start to the Season
Although the state‑of‑the‑art Dedeaux Field is still under construction, the venue has been opened to the public for free, allowing the first 500 attendees at Friday night’s opener to walk away with a complimentary USC Baseball Luggage tag while the team signs autographs after Sunday’s finale.
Grant Govel stole the spotlight with a seven‑inning no‑hitter against Pepperdine, a performance that earned him both National and Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors and underscored the staff’s early dominance.
On the offensive side, Kevin Takeuchi was nothing short of spectacular, going 5‑for‑10 at the plate and driving in six runs, helping the team post a 14‑4 victory over LMU in a run‑rule win that highlighted the Trojans’ firepower.
Historically, USC holds a 1‑5 record against Rice, with the last encounter in 2025 splitting a pair of games in Houston, a fact that adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming matchups.
With the season still young, the Trojans are poised to build on this early success, blending elite pitching, timely hitting, and a growing fan base eager to see how far this squad can go.