Another week of school means another week of Trojans making plays and highlights everywhere. Here are, for my money, the five best:
5. Maximo Martinez and Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek hit back to back home runs
Freshman pinch-hitter Maximo Martinez and junior infielder Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek put together a pair of rockets one after the other against Nebraska on Sunday. The back-to-back homers in the bottom of the sixth helped the Trojans secure the win, giving them a commanding 6-0 lead which Nebraska never came close to matching. It was Martinez’s first homer of his career and it happened in his first collegiate start, making it all the more memorable. However, the runs didn’t have much of an effect on the final outcome as USC already had the game firmly in hand, which is why it lands down at No. 5 this week.
4. Adrian Lopez crushes a three-run homer vs. UC Irvine
Sophomore infielder Adrian Lopez extended USC’s lead over UC Irvine to 7-2 on Tuesday after obliterating a ball and sending it out of the park to score three runs. Lopez’s three-run homer in the second inning marked the ninth run scored between both teams already, an indication of how this game would shake out. Although Lopez’s highlight hit made it seem like the Trojans were going to ride to another win, they lost 12-9 in an offensive explosion of a game. At the time, though, this seemed bound to put UC Irvine away. I can’t punish it for the team’s later failings.
3. Augie Lopez smokes a ball for his first career home run
In the bottom of the seventh inning in another game against the Cornhuskers, freshman catcher Augie Lopez delivered when his team needed him most, ripping a ball into deep right field to help secure the Trojans’ win. Lopez’s hit was significant to more than just the outcome — although it did push USC’s lead to 5-3 over Nebraska — it was also a personal milestone: Lopez’s first career home run. Looking at how the play impacted the game by securing the Trojans lead and entertainment aspect of the play itself, it was just obvious that I had to put it in my top three.
2. Rayah Marshall calls bank at the buzzer in March Madness
In the month of March, nothing is unexpected in college basketball, which is why it should come as no surprise that a play from the NCAA women’s basketball tournament has landed in the top two. Senior center Rayah Marshall banked in a three to end the first half in the second round of the tournament against Mississippi State. Although there was no real significance from the shot as the Trojans were up 47-27 before the shot and would continue to dominate the rest of the game, this was Marshall’s third made three of the season on only six shots. It may not be the most significant play, but everyone loves a buzzer beater and a deep three, which is why it’s at No. 2.
1. Ashley Erasmus sets new school record in women’s shot put
There are many cool and eye-catching moments in sports that come and go, but putting your name down in the books has to put you in the No. 1 spot. Freshman Ashley Erasmus won the women’s shot put at the final day of the 2025 Ron & Sharlene Allice Trojan Invitational. She didn’t just win though, Erasmus notched a USC record throw of 58-5.75. USC has never had a shot putter who could send a four kilogram stone over 85 feet. Something tells me by the end of Erasmus’ time as a Trojan, that number will be considerably higher. Either way, breaking any kind of school sports record as a freshman is an incredible feat, and I don’t think there is any argument that this can be any lower at all.
Logan’s Trojan Top 5 comes out every week.