Aoki and Johnson Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
April 28, 2025 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – After a pair of stellar pitching performances on the road, USC baseball's Caden Aoki was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and Andrew Johnson was named the conference's Freshman of the Week on Monday (April 28).
Johnson picked up the win in the opener, tossing 6.1 scoreless relief innings, and Aoki threw a complete-game two-hitter on Saturday as the pair helped lead the Trojans to a sweep of Minnesota.
Aoki's gem on Saturday was the first complete-game two-hitter by a Trojan since 2015 as he propelled USC to a 6-1 victory. The senior righty took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before giving up an infield single, and allowed his lone run in the ninth inning. Aoki struck out nine batters on the day and walked just two, moving to 4-2 on the season.
Johnson entered Friday's game in the third inning with USC trailing 6-5 and after getting the final out of the frame, went on to allow just two hits, no walks and no runs through the final six innings as the Trojans came back for a 16-6 victory. Johnson struck out four batters and faced just two over the minimum as he needed only 71 pitches to get through 6.1 innings. The Friday night victory moved him to 2-0 on the year.
For Aoki, it is his second Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Award this season, after he previously won the honor on March 3 after leading the Trojans to a victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt. It is Johnson' first Big Ten weekly award. Grant Govel (freshman) and Abbrie Covarrubias (player) have also picked up weekly honors for USC this season.
Johnson picked up the win in the opener, tossing 6.1 scoreless relief innings, and Aoki threw a complete-game two-hitter on Saturday as the pair helped lead the Trojans to a sweep of Minnesota.
Aoki's gem on Saturday was the first complete-game two-hitter by a Trojan since 2015 as he propelled USC to a 6-1 victory. The senior righty took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before giving up an infield single, and allowed his lone run in the ninth inning. Aoki struck out nine batters on the day and walked just two, moving to 4-2 on the season.
Johnson entered Friday's game in the third inning with USC trailing 6-5 and after getting the final out of the frame, went on to allow just two hits, no walks and no runs through the final six innings as the Trojans came back for a 16-6 victory. Johnson struck out four batters and faced just two over the minimum as he needed only 71 pitches to get through 6.1 innings. The Friday night victory moved him to 2-0 on the year.
For Aoki, it is his second Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Award this season, after he previously won the honor on March 3 after leading the Trojans to a victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt. It is Johnson' first Big Ten weekly award. Grant Govel (freshman) and Abbrie Covarrubias (player) have also picked up weekly honors for USC this season.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballBaseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs OSU, NCAA Regional Round)
Monday, June 02
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs SMC, NCAA Regional Round)
Saturday, May 31
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs TCU, NCAA Regional Opener)
Friday, May 30
Baseball - USC 10, Washington 4: Highlights (05/17/25)
Saturday, May 17
