It’s safe to say that junior left-handed pitcher Mason Edwards was motivated to do whatever he could to help No. 14-ranked USC baseball (28-7, 11-5 Big Ten) snap its four-game losing streak. The Trojans did exactly that on Friday evening, winning their first-ever game against the Iowa Hawkeyes (18-13, 5-8 Big Ten), 9-2.
It was a memorable night for Edwards, who dazzled across 8.1 innings, striking out 16 batters in the victory, both marking career-highs. His control was precise, allowing only two walks and three hits. With that performance, Edwards is tied with Cy Young Award-winning All-Star and World Series champion Barry Zito for the third-most single-game strikeouts in program history.
“It’s always good to come out on a Friday, especially after being swept last week,” Edwards said. “Being able to go out and set the tone early always helps the team get ahead and stay ahead. I think I had two or three walks today, but over the course of eight innings, that’s a lot better.”
Edwards, much to the delight of the Trojan faithful in attendance, jogged back out to the mound in the top of the ninth inning despite his rising pitch count. After recording the first out, he conceded a single to senior second baseman Gable Mitchell and walked senior first baseman Caleb Wulf. The Hawkeyes finally managed to get on the board when senior center fielder Miles Risley singled through the left side, scoring Mitchell and ending Edwards’ outing.
Redshirt sophomore RHP Garren Rizzo took over to record the final two outs of the contest. In the process, he allowed another run that would be charged to Edwards on a sacrifice fly from senior shortstop Kooper Schulte.
“We needed that [win] in a big way,” said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. “That was a big shot in the arm for us…it’s good for [Edwards]to feel good about himself again. He deserved the right to go back out in the ninth, and it’s unfortunate that he didn’t get the complete game.”
While Edwards’ mastery on the mound was certainly the highlight of the evening, the USC lineup made a mark of its own. Seven of their nine starters collected at least one base hit in the game.
Junior right fielder Andrew Lamb got things going for the Trojans in the second inning when he knocked an RBI double to right center, scoring junior center fielder Kevin Takeuchi. Junior catcher Isaac Cadena then added a single, scoring Lamb and making it 2-0 against Hawkeyes’ sophomore RHP Jaron Bleeker. Bleeker came on in the second inning in relief of Iowa starter, senior Justin Hackett, who recorded just three outs, getting a run charged to his name and walking two.
Redshirt freshman catcher Carter Geffre struggled to keep the baseball in front of him, with a plethora of passed balls giving the Trojans plenty of opportunities on the basepaths. They took advantage in the third, when junior first baseman Adrian Lopez scored on a wild pitch from Bleeker. Lamb then collected his second RBI of the game, scoring sophomore designated hitter Augie Lopez on a sacrifice fly to right.
Freshman shortstop Diego Velazquez, who started in place of sophomore Maddox Riske, made sure that Edwards would not be the only one having a memorable day at the ballpark. He stepped up to the plate in the sixth inning, earning the first hit and RBI of his collegiate career on a double down the right field line that scored Cadena.
“He’s a good looking young player,” Stankiewicz said. “We use him more in the bullpen than we use him as a position player, but he’s gifted. I think he’s earning the opportunity to get more at-bats.”
USC added four more runs in the seventh and eighth innings via RBI singles from senior outfielder Jack Basseer and Tackeuchi, as well as a sacrifice fly from junior second baseman Abbrie Covarrubias and a wild pitch that scored junior left fielder Dean Carpentier. Basseer, who entered the game for Lamb as a pinch hitter in the seventh, batted in his 15th run of the season.
The Trojans will try to start a new winning streak on Saturday in the second game of the series, with sophomore RHP Grant Govel (6-0, 1.80 ERA) taking the mound for his ninth start of the season. Last time out against UCLA, Govel lasted a season-low five innings and gave up a season-high four earned runs. He will oppose Iowa’s junior RHP Maddux Frese (1-1, 2.78 ERA).
While Edwards will have to enjoy Saturday’s game from the dugout, his confidence in Govel to keep the momentum rolling remains extremely high.
“There’s no doubt that he’s going to go out there and fill it up.”
First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.