USC Shifts Attention to Next Opponent in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

Looking ahead to who the USC Trojans play in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament after a dominant win over the Michigan State Spartans.

May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC head coach Andy Stankiewicz visits with official before a game against Saint Mary's at the NCAA Corvallis Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The No. 4-seeded USC Trojans shut down the No. 12-seeded Michigan State Spartans 7-0 to open up the Big Ten Tournament in the quarterfinals on Friday. Even a nearly two-hour rain delay couldn't slow the Trojans down, as they dominated from start to finish. It was the first meeting this year between the Trojans and Spartans, as the two squads didn't meet in a Big Ten series during the regular season. 

With the win, the Trojans advance to the semifinals on Saturday and await the winner of the other quarterfinal matchup between the No. 1-seeded UCLA Bruins and the No. 5-seeded Purdue Boilermakers. During the regular season, the Trojans were swept by their arch-rival, the Bruins, in a three-game series in Westwood from April 3 to 5, but recorded a sweep of their own against the Purdue Boilermakers.

USC celebrates a home run by Isaac Cadena (20) as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on May 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The series against the Boilermakers at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles was held from April 24 to 26, and featured USC outscoring Purdue 21-8 in the sweep. With a 43-14 overall record and among the select few teams in college baseball with 40 wins this season, the Trojans look to continue building their case to host an NCAA Tournament Regional at Dedeaux Field. Making a run to the Big Ten Tournament title game would certainly improve the Trojans' resume and increase their chances of hosting a regional.

USC Trojans Top Performers in Quarterfinal Win Over Michigan State Spartans

USC pitcher Mason Edwards throws a pitch as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on May 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the top pitchers in all of college baseball and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Mason Edwards, took to the mound for USC in Friday’s quarterfinal win over Michigan State. Edwards had another strong showing, shutting down a Michigan State team that entered Friday’s matchup with their longest win streak of the season at three games. 

In four innings pitched for the Trojans, Edwards recorded six strikeouts and allowed two hits. Offensively, the Trojans had impactful performances all around. USC junior infielder Kevin Takeuchi’s double and junior catcher Isaac Cadena's triple gave the Trojans a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. 

Hits by senior outfielder Jack Basseer, along with junior infielders Dean Carpentier and Abbrie Covarrubias, also drove in runs for the Trojans in the dominant quarterfinal win over Michigan State. 

USC Trojans Aim to Build Off Win Over Michigan State Spartans

Oregon's Brayden Jaksa, right, makes a catch at first for an out as USC infield Dean Carpentier runs in as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on May 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After an impressive showing against the Spartans, coach Andy Stankiewicz’s Trojans hope to carry momentum into their semifinal game against either UCLA or Purdue. The first pitch for Saturday’s semifinal matchup is set for noon P.T. at Charles Schwab Field. 

The start time, however, could be pushed back due to the quarterfinal matchup between the No. 3 Oregon Ducks and the No. 11 Washington Huskies, which was postponed to Saturday because of the rain delay in USC’s matchup against Michigan State.

The rain delay in USC’s matchup against Michigan State forced the start times of Friday’s other quarterfinal games to take place later than originally scheduled.

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