USC baseball entered Sunday’s home regular-season finale against Michigan State having lost three games in a row. The Trojans needed to stop the bleeding with the NCAA Tournament not that far away. A prolonged losing streak is exactly what could make the selection show an uneasy time for USC. The Men of Troy needed to answer the challenge — and the pressure — of Sunday’s game. The Trojans came through.
USC scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, then four in the bottom of the third for a 6-0 lead. The Trojans eventually built a 10-0 lead and cruised to a 10-3 victory over Michigan State. The Trojans moved to 17-10 in the Big Ten, fourth in the conference standings. USC is two games ahead of Michigan and Washington, who are tied for fifth in the conference at 15-12. USC is 33-18 through 51 games this season.
Brayden Dowd and Jack Basseer homered for the Trojans in the win over MSU. Pitcher Mason Edwards struck out five of the first nine hitters he faced, mowing down the Spartans in three scoreless innings to start the game while the Trojan bats built the big lead. It was a complete team performance after two of the worst games the Trojans had played all season in their Friday and Saturday losses.
USC has to hope this Sunday show of strength will steady the team for the home stretch. The Trojans have unfinished business to tend to and leave no doubt when the NCAA Tournament selection show arrives.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC baseball picks up vital victory against Michigan State
Reporting by Matt Zemek / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
