The Trojans have competed in some intense and high stakes games all week, delivering jaw-dropping displays of talent and athleticism. Here are the five best.
5. Dean Carpentier two-run home run to seal it
Kicking off this week’s list is USC baseball’s sophomore infielder Dean Carpentier, who stepped up in a big way to help secure the Trojans’ win against Ohio State last Saturday. It was the bottom of the eighth and the Trojans led 10-9 with two outs when Carpentier stepped up to the plate and delivered a huge swing that would extend their lead to 12-9. This was definitely the deciding play in the game that gave the Trojans some insurance and guaranteed the victory in this high-scoring battle. When you can rely on a player to put a game away in this fashion, he has to end up somewhere on the list, even if it is No. 5.
4. Ashley Erasmus wins women’s shot put at Battle at the Beach
Coming in at the No. 4 spot, we have freshman thrower Ashley Erasmus, who won the women’s shot put event at the Battle at the Beach with what was an all-time great throw. Erasmus would have broken a USC record in this event with a mark of 58-3.00 had she not already previously set the new record back in March with a mark of 58-5.75. It is just an amazing display of athletic dominance when the only person who can beat you is you. If Erasmus continues to keep shooting for the gold, she will likely be a recurring name on this list. Although she did not get to compete due to injury, this comes as no surprise as Erasmus was supposed to represent South Africa at the 2024 Olympic Games.
3. Abbrie Covarrubias destroys the ball for a three-run homer
Cracking into the top three is sophomore infielder Abbrie Covarrubias. The USC baseball standout hit it out of the park to give the Trojans a commanding 7-2 lead in the top of the third inning against LMU last Tuesday. Not only did Covarrubias deliver an absolute bomb with that hit, but the homer also played a significant part in getting USC the 14-6 victory over the Lions. Covarrubias’ slug was just the beginning of USC’s effort to pull away and put the game out of reach. It is always great to hit the solo home run and score, but when you get your teammates in on it too, that just makes it all that much better.
2. Yougendy Mauricette wins 400m hurdles with a new personal best
I have to mention sophomore hurdler Yougendy Mauricette, whose personal best time of 50.35 won the men’s 400m hurdles at Battle at the Beach and also marked the No. 2-ranked time among collegians this season. Breaking records seems to be a reoccurring theme on these lists for USC track runners, so it should come as no surprise that it has happened once again. I have to recognize Mauricette here at No. 2 not only for winning against the competition, but for beating his previous time and improving.
1. Brayden Dowd comes up huge with a game-tying homer
Sophomore outfielder Brayden Dowd takes the top spot this week on behalf of USC baseball. Dowd stepped up to the plate against Ohio State on Sunday and came through in a big way for the Trojans to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. With the Trojans down 8-9 with two outs in the final inning, Dowd took it upon himself to send the ball out of the park to keep USC fighting. Five batters later, Carpentier’s bases-loaded, walk-off single gave the Trojans the 10-9 victory.
If you read last week’s Trojan Top 5, you may not be surprised to see that Dowd delivered for the Trojans once again in a tough moment, as he did similarly last week. The way he crushed the ball despite the looming pressure of an imminent Buckeyes win makes this play an indisputable No. 1.