USC baseball routs Texas A&M to stay alive in NCAA…
All week, the big query dealing with the USC baseball workforce was how it could align its pitching rotation for a showdown against Texas A&M.
Rather than go with ace Mason Edwards in the opener of the College Station Regional of the NCAA Tournament, the Trojans turned to Grant Govel while preserving Edwards in anticipation of dealing with the Aggies the next day.
But after USC was upset in that opener, so was its pitching plan.
USC pitcher Grant Govel. Courtesy of USC Athletics
By the time the Trojans confronted top-seeded Texas A&M in an elimination recreation on Sunday evening, neither Edwards nor Govel was obtainable.
It turned out that possibly Andrew Johnson was the man they needed all along.
In the most momentous start of his profession, the sophomore right-hander baffled the Aggies during USC’s 14-3 rout that featured a continuation of the Trojans’ offensive onslaught.
After piling up 14 hits during a 15-4 drubbing of Texas State earlier in the day, USC (46-16) amassed 17 hits against the Aggies, including home runs from Augie Lopez and Andrew Lamb.
After scoring 4 runs in the first inning and three more in the third, the Trojans held a 7-1 lead. Johnson (8-2) took it from there, permitting 9 hits and three runs in 7â…“ excellent innings before reliever Rohan Kasanagottu went the remaining of the best way.
USC pitcher Andrew Johnson with his teammates. USC Baseball
What it means
After being upset by Texas State in its Regional opener, USC has reeled off three consecutive victories to put itself on the verge of advancing to its first Super Regional since 2005.
Turning level
USC’s four-run first inning silenced a crowd of 6,934 that had anticipated a occasion but instead skilled the equal of a baseball wake.
MVP: Andrew Johnson
Looking more like an ace than a No. 3 starter, Johnson struck out 4 and walked only one.
Up next
The Trojans face the Aggies again on Monday, with a likelihood to full a uncommon comeback from shedding a Regional opener to making a Super Regional.
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