USC Baseball Dominates Lamar in NCAA Tournament Elimination Game

Could the game really end before the first inning concluded? It felt like that was the case as the University of Southern California (USC) baseball team took on Lamar on Saturday afternoon.

Just eight pitches in, the Trojans had already established a two-run lead. After notching four strikeouts, they stretched their advantage to as much as five runs.

It almost seemed like having ace Mason Edwards on the mound was enough to secure the win.

Yet, despite feeling dominant, Edwards was a bit shaky at times. His much-anticipated clash with Texas A&M was postponed, but he still overwhelmed Lamar for most of the Trojans’ impressive 19-6 victory at Bluebell Park in College Station, Texas.

Edwards (9-0) managed four scoreless innings before he stumbled in the fifth frame, allowing five runs before being pulled. Still, given that USC entered that inning with a massive 16-0 lead, it hardly seemed concerning.

USC wrapped up the Cardinals’ season with a total of 19 hits, including three home runs, as they faced off against 11 pitchers from Lamar, which was essentially a home game for USC given the proximity—about 275 miles away.

Adrian Lopez sparked the scoring with a two-run homer, followed by Andrew Lamb, whose three-run shot soared off the right-center field wall, possibly heading towards a train. Not to be outdone, Trojan center fielder Walter Arbon, hitting ninth, smashed a grand slam in the fourth inning, pushing the lead to 12-0.

What It Means

The Trojans bounced back from a tough loss to Texas State the day before, where closer Adam Troy hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning. Although Edwards couldn’t pitch against the Aggies, his solid performance helped keep USC’s season alive for at least another day.

Turning Point

It became clear early on—the moment Lamar starting pitcher Travis Lutz began his warmups. Unfortunately for Lutz, it was a challenging outing; he allowed two home runs in the first inning along with three walks. In just one complete inning, he surrendered five hits and seven runs (all earned), racked up four walks, and only had a single strikeout before being yanked in the second inning.

MVP: Walter Arbon

Walter Arbon had a standout game with five hits and five runs scored. Lopez and Isaac Cadena contributed three hits each.

Did You See That?

In a surprising moment, Cadena broke his aluminum bat during an infield hit in the fourth inning, sending the barrel sailing towards the mound while he held on to the handle.

To the Next

Next up, the Trojans will face either Texas A&M or Texas State in another elimination game scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.