University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: John McGillen
Mason Edwards Named Semifinalist for Golden Spikes Award
May 14, 2026 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – The semifinalists for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award were announced on Thursday and USC's Mason Edwards was named to the 25-player list for the top honor in college baseball.
Edwards is the first Trojan since Jeff Clement in 2005 to be named a semifinalist for the award. The last USC player to win the prestigious honor was Mark Prior in 2001.
So far this season, USC's star lefty owns an 8-0 record and a 1.61 ERA, with 142 strikeouts to just 34 walks and a .142 opponent batting average. Edwards leads the nation in strikeouts, strikeouts per nine (16.31) and hits allowed per nine (4.48), while sitting second in the country in ERA, with his 1.61 average less than half a run off the top spot. His 0.93 WHIP is fifth in the NCAA.
Edwards' 101 strikeouts in conference play have already set a new Big Ten record this season, and his 142 total strikeouts are already the ninth most in a single season by a USC pitcher and the most by a Trojan since Ian Kennedy (158) in 2005.
Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the most outstanding amateur baseball player in the nation with the Golden Spikes Award. The award is given each year to the player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability, exemplary sportsmanship and character, and an overall positive contribution to the sport.
Finalists for the award will be announced on June 10, with the winner then announced on June 29. Part of the process in narrowing the field down to three finalists is fan voting, which opens today and closes on June 9. Fans can vote for Edwards to be one of the three finalists here.
Edwards is the first Trojan since Jeff Clement in 2005 to be named a semifinalist for the award. The last USC player to win the prestigious honor was Mark Prior in 2001.
So far this season, USC's star lefty owns an 8-0 record and a 1.61 ERA, with 142 strikeouts to just 34 walks and a .142 opponent batting average. Edwards leads the nation in strikeouts, strikeouts per nine (16.31) and hits allowed per nine (4.48), while sitting second in the country in ERA, with his 1.61 average less than half a run off the top spot. His 0.93 WHIP is fifth in the NCAA.
Edwards' 101 strikeouts in conference play have already set a new Big Ten record this season, and his 142 total strikeouts are already the ninth most in a single season by a USC pitcher and the most by a Trojan since Ian Kennedy (158) in 2005.
Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the most outstanding amateur baseball player in the nation with the Golden Spikes Award. The award is given each year to the player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability, exemplary sportsmanship and character, and an overall positive contribution to the sport.
Finalists for the award will be announced on June 10, with the winner then announced on June 29. Part of the process in narrowing the field down to three finalists is fan voting, which opens today and closes on June 9. Fans can vote for Edwards to be one of the three finalists here.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ BaseballUSC Baseball vs. Purdue Highlights | Trojans win 11-4
Sunday, April 26
USC Baseball vs Purdue Highlights | Trojans win 6-1
Saturday, April 25
USC Baseball vs Purdue Highlights | Trojans win 4-3
Friday, April 24
USC Baseball vs Nebraska Highlights | Trojans lose 6-16
Sunday, April 19
