Southern California’s pitching staff turned into a revolving door Wednesday night, giving the Trojans valuable innings in a 2–2 exhibition draw with Waseda University at Dedeaux Field.
USC cycled through a string of arms — at times bringing in a new pitcher nearly every inning — as the Trojans used the international exhibition to evaluate depth while facing one of Japan’s most historic college programs.
“I think the biggest takeaway is (graduate) Ace Whitehead pitching,” head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. “We’re gonna need him down the stretch as we keep moving forward. And then (junior) Garren Rizzo backed him up and gave us one.”
The Trojans also turned to pitchers with limited appearances this season, including freshman RHP Jake Sekany, sophomore LHP Ben Cushnie, freshman RHP Rohan Kasanagottu and junior RHP Andrew Harbor, as well as those working back from injury.
“If those two guys wake up tomorrow and feel good, that’s a win for us,” Stankiewicz said of Whitehead and Rizzo. “We needed them to get back out there.”
The Trojans struck first in the opening inning when junior infielder Dean Carpentier drove a ball to the fence in left, with the Waseda outfielder crashing into the wall trying to make the play. Moments later, junior catcher Andrew Lamb lifted a ball to deep left that was dropped, allowing Carpentier to score and push USC ahead 2–0.
Waseda chipped away as the game progressed. The Bears broke through in the fourth inning against freshman left-handed reliever Paul Grossman, then tied the game in the sixth after a base hit from Waseda’s senior infielder Yuya Okanishi plated the tying run.
The Trojans threatened late but could not break the tie. Lamb delivered a base hit in the ninth, but sophomore infielder Maximo Martinez struck out swinging to end the game.
Despite the tie, the night was about more than the result.
“It was a blast,” Carpentier said. “You get to see different talent from the other side of the world coming here. It was fun to watch and fun to compete against.”
The teams spent time together before the game, with Waseda players visiting USC’s facilities.
“They came down into our clubhouse area at Heritage Hall,” Carpentier said. “We got to introduce ourselves and show them around where we work out. It was cool for them to see that.”
Stankiewicz said the matchup was a valuable experience for his team, particularly against a disciplined opponent.
“Anytime you get a chance to play a Japanese team, you’re running into a really good defense,” Stankiewicz said. “They’re fundamentally sound and they’re committed to contact. If you miss, they’re going to make you pay.”
The exhibition came during a busy stretch for the Trojans, who entered the night as one of only two undefeated teams in college baseball this season, and are now ranked in multiple national polls after a dominant start to the year.
Carpentier said the team has tried to stay focused despite the strong start.
“Just having a consistent mindset and doing your job,” he said. “Trying to help the team win any way you can… laying down a bunt, getting a run in from third… just playing good baseball.”
Waseda’s visit is part of the program’s U.S. tour celebrating the 125th anniversary of the university’s baseball club, which dates back to 1901 and famously toured the United States in 1905. In this year’s tour, Waseda faced off against Santa Clara University, Stanford University, California State University, Los Angeles and California State University, Long Beach.
“The United States, which we are visiting this time, is the birthplace of baseball and a constant source of learning for us,” team captain senior LHP Kazuki Kozai said in a statement released before the trip.
Even with the language barrier, the teams shared the field after the game to take a photo and exchange some school swag bags.
“Baseball is its own language,” Stankiewicz said. “You saw the guys out there after the game laughing and joking around. That’s what makes experiences like this special.”