Two young athletes from Southern California set out to bring back a tradition when they first crossed paths four years ago during a visit as pitching prospects for USC.
Mason Edwards was beginning to emerge as a promising left-handed pitcher, showcasing a sharp breaking ball alongside an improving fastball.
Meanwhile, Grant Goebel had just undergone Tommy John surgery and was contemplating taking a gap year before joining the team.
They found themselves sharing a room during that visit, and their connection blossomed immediately.
“It was awesome,” Edwards recalled. “I was like, ‘What’s going on? My name is Mason. Let’s have fun here.’
Little did they realize how far it would take them.
The pair has developed into what could be considered the top 1-2 starting pitchers in the country, playing for a team eager to end a 25-year drought in reaching the College World Series.
Edwards leads all of college baseball in strikeouts, having set a Big Ten record with 113 strikeouts during conference play and a total of 160 this season—making him the first USC pitcher to reach such numbers since Mark Prior in 2001.
Goebel, now fully recovered from his surgery, acts as a second ace, confounding batters with a diverse six-pitch lineup.
“When Mason takes the mound on a Friday night, there’s really a lot to consider,” noted USC pitching coach Sean Allen, pointing out Edwards’ key role, “but to be honest, Grant has managed to do that for most of the year.”
Together, the duo claimed an impressive combined record of 18-2, achieving 10 shutouts—more than any other team—and aided the Trojans in advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s College Station region. USC (43-15) is set to face Texas State (36-24) this Friday in College Station, Texas, with potential contests against Texas A&M and Lamar ahead.
Due to their remarkable synergy, USC coach Andy Stankiewicz opted to have Goebel start in the first regional game, keeping Edwards for the second.
Their pitching styles, while leading to similar outcomes, differ significantly.
Edwards delivers a fastball that averages around 92 mph along with a changeup and a curveball, boasting an impressive 8-0 record and a 1.43 ERA. His breaking ball varies in behavior depending on the batter’s position in the box.
“It’s just manipulating one pitch twice,” said Edwards, a junior who might just see his name called in the first round of the upcoming MLB Draft.
Goebel, now in his sophomore year, has recently added a two-seam fastball to his arsenal, which already includes a four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, curveball, and cutter. This variety keeps hitters on their toes, giving Goebel a solid 10-2 record with a 2.84 ERA.
“Having more than three pitches that you can command,” Gobel mused, “honestly puts a lot of pressure on the batters mentally. When they step up to the plate, they’re likely not waiting for a single pitch because I probably won’t throw it.”
The pair has continued to shine, pushing USC to a remarkable 19-0 start—its best in the program’s history, which has claimed 12 national titles. Their synergy has inspired each other to strive for excellence.
“When you go out there and contribute to the team’s success,” Edwards, who is second in the nation in ERA, shared. “When I walk off the mound, I’m confident that Grant will do just as well.”
Both players were initially drawn to USC because of its storied baseball legacy, featuring greats like Mark Prior and Randy Johnson.
As a child, Gobel humorously recalled penning a letter declaring his intention to join USC as a soccer player, despite the school lacking a men’s soccer team.
“That was a mistake,” he admitted with a laugh, “but I meant baseball. I’m just a die-hard USC fan. My mom went here.”
During the pandemic, he built a batting cage in his backyard, ultimately making the switch from soccer to baseball, starting as an outfielder before transitioning to pitching.
Edwards’ journey to stardom hasn’t been without challenges. Although he was always sought after for his left-handed skills, a significant boost came from his future teammate.
In high school, a friend connected Edwards with a junior college coach who helped refine his fastball. That coach is now USC’s director of player development.
“My mechanics were pretty rough back then,” Edwards remembered. “He taught me so much about movement efficiency and utilizing my body better.”
Look at where he is now. He’s been named Big Ten pitcher of the year and joined his former roommate on the All-Conference first team.
Let’s have some fun, indeed.
Thanks to these two pitchers, the NCAA Tournament could signify a new dawn for the Trojans.
