What could have been a historic sweep ended one game short in a chilly Illinois finale. No. 13 USC won the first two games of a three-game series against Northwestern, but lost the finale 1-2 on a walk-off hit.
Opening with a single game Friday night before a Saturday doubleheader, USC opened the series by defeating Northwestern 15–1 in a seven-inning mercy-rule victory. The Trojans’ offense broke the game open in the third inning when junior second baseman Abbrie Covarrubias and junior first baseman Adrian Lopez each launched two-run home runs. The team had 13 hits overall during the game, including four home runs.
The pitching staff delivered phenomenal performances throughout the series. During game one, junior left-handed pitcher Mason Edwards pitched six innings, allowing only three hits and one run, while striking out ten batters. The run was the first earned run that Edwards had given up in the 30 innings he has pitched this season.
In game two, sophomore right-handed pitcher Grant Govel pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six batters. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Johnson delivered one of his strongest outings of the season in game three, pitching a career-high 7 1/3 innings.
As USC swiftly established a commanding lead, Lopez led the offensive effort, finishing the game 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored.
But USC’s offense told a much different story during Saturday’s doubleheader.
The Trojans struggled to generate hits throughout the day, combining for just seven hits across the two games. In game two, USC did not record its first hit until the fifth inning and finished with four hits.
Junior outfielder Andrew Lamb provided a defensive highlight by robbing a potential home run.
The series finale brought even harsher conditions as snow began to fall at Rocky Miller Park. The Trojans found themselves trailing after the sixth inning. USC finally broke through in the eighth inning, after struggling to score for most of the game.
Northwestern came back late in the game to win with a walk-off hit, stopping the Trojans from sweeping the series and ending their winning streak.
The Trojans return to action tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, against San Diego State at 6:30 p.m. at Dedeaux Field.