Trojans Even Series With No. 14 UCLA Behind Aoki's Stellar Outing

Saturday, May 3

Irvine, Calif.

2:00 PM

USC

31-15, 15-8

UCLA

34-12, 17-6

UCLA

USC

Photo by: Katie Chin

Trojans Even Series With No. 14 UCLA Behind Aoki's Stellar Outing

May 03, 2025 | Baseball

Box Score Highlights Box Score (PDF)

IRVINE, Calif. – The USC baseball team evened the series against No. 14 UCLA with a 7-5 win on Saturday afternoon, getting seven shutout innings from Caden Aoki to lead the way.

The Trojans jumped out to a 6-0 lead and despite a late push by the Bruins, held on for the victory to move to 31-15 overall and 15-8 in Big Ten play. UCLA falls to 34-12, 17-6.

On the heels of a complete-game two-hitter last week, Aoki worked 7.0 scoreless on Saturday, giving up just four hits and one walk while striking out six batters. He did not allow a hit until the third inning and until the sixth, he had faced just two batters above the minimum. His lone spot of trouble came in the sixth as UCLA loaded the bases, but Aoki got a fly ball to left field to strand all three.

The Trojans came out firing early on offense, putting up three runs in the second inning. Andrew Lamb got the rally started with a solo-shot to right, and Jack Basseer and Augie Lopez followed with a pair of RBI doubles. USC added two more in the fourth, with Augie Lopez again doubling home a run and Richard Tejeda plating Augie with a single. Adrian Lopez had an RBI single in the fifth and Abbrie Covarrubias brought home the seventh run with an infield single in the seventh.

UCLA finally got on the board after Aoki exited the game, getting a grand slam from Roman Martin in the eighth and an RBI single from Dean West with two outs in the ninth.

Ethan Hedges took over with a runner on in the ninth and despite giving up the single with two outs, got the final three outs for his ninth save of the year. Hedges got three groundouts in the inning, including getting Roch Cholowsky to hit a bouncer back to the mound as he gloved the ball and tossed to first for the final out.

TOP PERFORMERS

Caden Aoki: W, 7.0 IP, 4H, 0R, BB, 6K
Andrew Lamb: 2-for-4, RBI, 2R, HR
Augie Lopez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, 2 2B
Abbrie Covarrubias: 3-for-4, RBI, R

COMING UP
The Trojans and Bruins wrap things up on Sunday at 1 p.m. The series finale will be broadcast live on B1G+.

Hear from Head Coach Andy Stankiewicz after the Trojans take game 2 against the Bruins and even up the series! ✌️⚔️#FightOn x @turntwo17 pic.twitter.com/Apqzl2edNp
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) May 4, 2025