Key Grand Slam Powers USC Trojans Rally Against North Carolina

The USC Trojans haven't made it this far on the baseball diamond since 2005. Now, the North Carolina Tar Heels stood in USC's way of making the College World Series.

The Chapel Hill Super Regional between USC and UNC saw things turn fast for the former while down 5-1. Dean Carpentier blasted his first-ever Grand Slam during the top of the sixth, helping spark the 9-5 victory in Game 1 at Boshamer Stadium.

USC Trojans Mason Edwards Saint Mary's Gaels NCAA Corvallis Regional Super Regional Andy Stankiewicz Texas State Bobcats — USC pitcher Mason Edwards (30) throws the ball during the fourth inning against Saint Mary's at the NCAA Corvallis Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

USC saw last season end in a thrashing matter against Oregon State, losing by a combined 23-1 to end its baseball campaign. Granted, the Trojans have gone further than the 2025 Corvallis Regional, advancing to their first Super Regionals since the social media boom.

But again, Carpentier's crucial rip helped erase the large deficit. And now places USC one victory away from advancing on to Omaha.

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FINAL SCORE: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH INNING: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-USC executes double play for first two outs. Closes on outfield catch by Takeuchi.

TOP OF THE NINTH INNING: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-UNC leaves Takeuchi stranded on third.

-Takeuchi drives the ball down the third base line to reach second.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH INNING: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-USC forces a strikeout, ground out and fly out to close the eighth.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH INNING: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-UNC gets out of inning without allowing a run and forcing two strikeouts.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-Drew Johnson walks out leaving no one on base in continuing USC's momentum.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH INNING: USC 9, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-Lamb bangs sacrifice blunt to drive Takeuchi in to make it a four-run lead.

-Off line throw creates error near home plate, Augie Lopez scores. Jack Basseer heads to first on a fielder's choice.

-Cadena hits a sacrifice ground ball RBI that brings Adrian Lopez home.

-Takeuchi loads the bases in taking the walk.

-Lopez advances to third s Augie Lopez singles toward the right field wall.

-Adrian Lopez leads off with a ground double toward the left field wall.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH INNING: USC 6, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-USC leaves no one on base to enter the seventh.

TOP OF THE SIXTH INNING: USC 6, NORTH CAROLINA 5

-USC loads the bases for Carpentier. He proceeds to blast a Grand Slam near center field to give the Trojans their first lead. First career Grand Slam for Carpentier.

-Takeuchi hits bloop single that stays inside left field line, drives one runner home.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH INNING: NORTH CAROLINA 5, USC 1

-Herrell surrenders double to Colin Hynek, who drives one runner home.

TOP OF THE FIFTH INNING: NORTH CAROLINA 4, USC 1

-Lynch remains on mound for UNC; forces two ground outs and a strikeout.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH INNING: NORTH CAROLINA 4, USC 1

-Herrell forces fly out to close the inning.

-Edwards relieved by Chase Herrell; forces a ground out and strikeout for first two outs.

TOP OF THE FOURTH INNING: NORTH CAROLINA 4, USC 1

-USC leaves two stranded on base on foul out toward left field.

-Kevin Takeuchi delivers first hit of the afternoon on a single.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD INNING: NORTH CAROLINA 4, USC 1

-Erik Paulsen smacks RBI double and scores one for UNC. Then scores on wild pitch at first.

TOP OF THE THIRD INNING: NORTH CAROLINA 2, USC 1

-Adrian Lopez strikes out swinging to end inning.

-Dean Carpentier pounds a base hit toward left field.

-Andrew Lamb blasts a solo home run toward center to get the Trojans on the board.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND INNING : NORTH CAROLINA 2, USC 0

-Edwards strikes out Owen Hull to end inning.

-Gallaher smacks a sacrifice RBI to drive one runner home.

-Runners now on third and first after an Edwards wild pitch.

-Walter Urbon makes diving catch attempt but can't complete it at center field. UNC gets started with a single.

TOP OF THE SECOND INNING: USC 0, NORTH CAROLINA 0

-Lynch forces ground out to start the second. USC grounds out two more times.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST INNING: USC 0, NORTH CAROLINA 0

-Edwards strikes out three batters in response, leaving three stranded on base.

-Edwards faces immediate jam as UNC loads the bases.

-Gavin Gallaher pounds first hit of the game on single, gets runners on first and second.

-Mason Edwards takes the start for USC. Walks the first batter.

TOP OF THE FIRST INNING: USC 0, NORTH CAROLINA 0

-USC starts with a ground out near first, then consecutive strikeouts. No one lands on base.

-Ryan Lynch gets the start on the mound for North Carolina.

USC Likely to Roll With Top Pitching ace

Head coach Andy Stankiewicz and the Trojans appear to be wasting no time with trusting top ace Mason Edwards.

The reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, plus recent nominee for NCAA Pitcher of the Year, is the "probable" starter for the opener against the Tar Heels.

The lefty became lights out for four innings against Lamar. Edwards didn't surrender any runs until the fifth inning. His heat combined with USC's fierce batting collaborated for the 19-6 rout to stay alive in the College Station regional.

Edwards sat and watched USC gain revenge on the Texas State Bobcats team that placed the Trojans in the loser's bracket. He then witnessed USC stomp on the top seed of the College Station Regional Texas A&M not once, but twice to move on in the postseason.

Should Edwards start, he'll take the mound against a North Carolina team batting at .294 as a team but one that's hammered 78 home runs. It's likely this time Grant Govel will take the rest and perhaps be saved for the potential sealing Game 2 contest should USC win this best-of-three series.

USC Aiming to Ride Offensive Wave

USC Trojans Baseball Jack Basseer Saint Mary's Gaels NCAA Corvallis Regional College Baseball Andy Stankiewicz Lamar — May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC outfielder Jack Basseer (14) hits the ball during the eighth inning against Saint Mary's at the NCAA Corvallis Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

USC shook off the struggles of Game 1 against Texas State fast. That opener saw as many as 13 different Trojan runners stranded on base in the 5-4 loss.

The Trojans swung at redemption in a big way: Tacking on its most runs in 2026 against Lamar, then combining for 36 total runs in the next three wins over Texas State and Texas A&M.

Stankiewicz will need leadoff hitter Abbrie Covarrubias to set the tone once again. Adrian Lopez and Augie Lopez are two more who can play small ball and advance runners while also landing at first.

USC, though, will hope to see continuous hitting power out of Kevin Takeuchi, who blasted his first career Grand Slam during the College Station regional. He also ripped a single that drove the Lopez's home to open the first inning against the Aggies.

Jack Basseer remains the top hitter for USC with his average of .341 and will land in the middle of the order in all likelihood.

Projected USC Starters and Batting Order

USC Trojans Baseball Oregon Ducks Ryan Cooney Kevin Takeuchi College Baseball Playoffs North Carolina Big Ten — USC’s Kevin Takeuchi, left, tags Oregon infielder Ryan Cooney as he slides to second as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on May 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard

Here is how USC's fielding lineup will likely look against the Tar Heels:

Pitcher: Mason Edwards

Catcher: Isaac Cadena

First Base: Adrian Lopez

Second Base: Abbrie Covarrubias

Shortstop: Dean Carpentier

Third Base: Kevin Takeuchi

Right Field: Jack Basseer

Center Field: Walter Urbon

Left Field: Andrew Lamb

Here's the expected batting order ahead of the first pitch:

1. Abbrie Covarrubias

2. Adrian Lopez

3. Augie Lopez

4. Kevin Takeuchi

5. Isaac Cadena

6. Andrew Lamb

7. Dean Carpentier

8. Jack Basseer

9. Walter Urbon

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