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After a decisive win over USC, the Oregon Ducks secured the third seed in the Big Ten Tournament, guaranteeing a bye and a potential path to a regional championship.
The Oregon Ducks rallied in the 14th inning, using a decisive bunt and a stifling bullpen to secure a 6-5 walk-off win over USC.
The Ducks and Trojans split their first two meetings, and Saturday's showdown will determine the conference seed and potential NCAA Tournament hosting rights.
Oregon’s 4‑3 win over USC on Friday night, fueled by back‑to‑back homers from Brayden Jaksa and Naulivou Lauaki Jr., not only evened the series but also locked the Ducks into a top‑four seed for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. The final showdown will determine the three‑seed and four‑seed positions, with head coach Mark Wasikowski absent for his daughter’s graduation.
In a tightly contested series opener, USC’s Mason Edwards delivered six shutout innings while Oregon’s Naulivou Lauaki Jr. launched a ninth‑inning homer to force extra innings. The Trojans ultimately prevailed 2‑1, shaping early Big Ten standings and setting the stage for a Friday night showdown.