University Southern California Trojans
USC
13-8-1, 6-2
Washington State
14-8, 3-5
USC Takes Third Straight Series with 6-1 Victory Over Washington State
March 25, 2023 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES, CA --The USC Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 6-1 victory over the Washington State Cougars on Saturday.
Sophomore Caden Connolly (1-1) got the win out of the bullpen for USC (13-8-1, 6-2). The southpaw went 1.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit, no walks and striking out three. Sophomore Caden Aoki started the ballgame and went four shutout innings while allowing four hits, walking two and striking out four.
In the batter's box, the Trojans were led by freshman Austin Overn, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Freshman Bryce Grudzielanek compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Senior Johnny Olmstead also helped out for USC, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Trojans got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Senior Connor Aoki drove in two runs for USC with a single, that scored freshman Ethan Hedges and Olmstead.
The Cougars failed to push any runs across before the Trojans built on their lead in the fourth inning. USC scored twice on Overn's two-run homer, which brought the score to 4-0 in favor of the Trojans.
USC held Washington State without a run before building their lead to 5-0 in the sixth inning. The Trojans scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Grudzielanek.
The Cougars gained ground, closing the gap to 5-1 until USC added some insurance in the eighth. Overn crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Trojans, bringing the USC advantage to 6-1. The score remained 6-1 for the rest of the game, as the Trojans coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Grudzielanek had three base knocks in the game for USC.
» USC's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Trojans had control of the rest of the game after jumping ahead of the Cougars 2-0 in the bottom of the second.
» Four Trojans had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Trojans out-hit the Cougars at an 11-7 clip.
» Olmstead stole three bases in Saturday's game.
» USC pitchers limited Washington State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» USC pitchers faced 36 Washington State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Trojans drew seven walks from Washington State pitching.
» Overn led the Trojans at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Washington State was led offensively by junior Kyle Russell, who went 2-for-4 with a double.
» Senior Cam Liss led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing 1.1 shutout innings.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Connolly, Caden (1-1)
L: Taylor, Grant (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Morrow, Jacob 1 ; Russell, Kyle 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Matthews, Bryce 1
SB: Advincula, Jonah 1
HBP: Magee, Cam 1
Batting:
2B: Olmstead, Johnny 1 ; Martin-Grudzielanek, Bryce 1
HR: Overn, Austin 1
RBI: Overn, Austin 2 ; Aoki, Connor 2 ; Martin-Grudzielanek, Bryce 1
SH: Jackson, Ryan 1 ; Aoki, Connor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Overn, Austin 2 ; Hedges, Ethan 1 ; Olmstead, Johnny 2 ; Martin-Grudzielanek, Bryce 1
SB: Overn, Austin 1 ; Olmstead, Johnny 3
CS: Aoki, Connor 1
HBP: Overn, Austin 1
