USC Hosts No. 17 Oregon to Open Seven-Game Homestand

THIS WEEK: The USC baseball team opens up its final homestand of the regular season, hosting No. 17 Oregon for a three-game set and then CSU Bakersfield for a midweek contest. USC plays its next seven games at home.

GAME SCHEDULE:
Friday - USC vs. Oregon (Dedeaux Field), May 5, 6:30 p.m. (USC Livestream)
Saturday - USC vs. Oregon (Dedeaux Field), May 6, 6:30 p.m. (USC Livestream)
Sunday - USC vs. Oregon (Dedeaux Field), May 7, 12 p.m. (USC Livestream)
Tuesday - USC vs. CSU Bakersfield (Dedeaux Field), May 9, 6:30 p.m. (USC Livestream)

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS:
Friday - USC: RHP Blake Sodersten (2-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. ORE: RHP Leo Uelmen (3-3, 6.17 ERA)
Saturday - USC: RHP Caden Aoki (3-0, 1.41 ERA) vs. ORE: RHP Logan Mercado (4-0, 6.14 ERA)
Sunday - USC: RHP Tyler Stromsborg (4-3, 5.15 ERA) vs. ORE: TBA

BROADCAST INFO: All four games will be streamed live on Pac-12+ via USCTrojans.com. Links to the broadcasts are available on the baseball schedule page at USCTrojans.com.

FOLLOW: Fans can also follow the action through live stats on USCTrojans.com. Live, in-game updates will be available for all games from @USC_Baseball on Twitter as well.

GET SOCIAL: Follow USC Baseball on social media to get updates on everything going on with the team this season. The Trojans can be found at @USC_Baseball on Twitter, @sctrojans_baseball on Instagram and USC Trojans Baseball on Facebook.

LAST WEEK: The Trojans are looking to break a five-game skid after dropping all three games at Washington, and then falling in midweek contests to Long Beach State and No. 24 Cal State Fullerton.

WEEKEND EVENTS: There will be plenty going on at Dedeaux Field this weekend, with special events each day. Friday (Cinco de Mayo) USC will celebrate Hispanic Heritage night, Saturday USC will honor the 1973 CWS title team and Sunday is Senior Day.

SERIES VS OREGON: USC owns an 32-25 lead in the all-time series between the teams. Oregon took two-of-three in the two most recent series (2022, 2021), and USC last won two-of-three in 2019.

SERIES VS. CSUB: The Trojans are 5-1 all-time against Bakersfield, with the teams last playing in 2013.

PLAYER NOTES:

Austin Overn currently leads the nation with 12 triples, which set a new USC single season record, breaking the record set by Grant Green in 2007 (10) (the NCAA record is 17). Overn leads the team with a .344 batting average, and his 64 hits are 3rd in the conference. His 46 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and 101 total bases are all 6th in the conference as well. Overn was a walk-on WR with the USC football team this past fall, but did not see time on the field.
Cole Gabrielson leads the team with 9 homers and his 41 RBI also lead the squad. Gabrielson hit a walk-off single against UCLA to win the series finale and secure a 2-1 series win for the Trojans.
Johnny Olmstead is second on the team lead in homers (8). His .580 slugging percentage leads the Trojans and 36 RBI are second on the team. Olmstead also has 4 triples on the year, which are 3rd in the conference and 30th in the NCAA.
Caden Aoki gave up three runs in his first outing of the season, but since then has given up just 3 earned runs in his last 8 appearances. Over that stretch, Aoki has set or matched his career high in innings each of his last 5 of his last 6 starts, going 6.1 innings to set a new high on Saturday vs UCLA. He owns a 1.41 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched.
Garrett Clarke leads USC and is 4th in the Pac-12 with 6 saves on the year. In 20 appearances, he owns a 1.98 ERA with opponents hitting .206 against him. Clarke was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year midseason watch list.
Kyle Wisch is 2nd on the team and 7th in the Pac-12 with 4 saves on the year. he has a 2.59 ERA, with opponents hitting .180 against him. Along with Clarke, he was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year midseason watch list.

TEAM NOTES:

USC posted back-to-back shutouts on the road at Utah, marking the first time since 2008 that a USC team has posted consecutive shutouts. The Trojans have 3 shutouts on the season, 4th in the Pac-12 and 30th in the NCAA.
USC's 25 triples lead the Pac-12 and are 2nd in the nation. Five Trojans have multiple triples, including Overn (12), Olmstead (4), Hedges (3), Gabrielson (2), and Martin-Grudzielanek (2).
USC's 4.28 team ERA is 3rd in the Pac-12 and 34th in the nation. The Trojans' team WHIP (1.32) is 3rd in the conference and 21st in the NCAA.

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Players Mentioned

Caden Aoki

Garrett Clarke

Cole Gabrielson

Johnny Olmstead

Austin Overn

Blake Sodersten

Tyler Stromsborg

Kyle Wisch