USC baseball sweeps Arizona State, significantly improves NCAA bubble position
It was widely felt that USC absolutely had to win at least two of three games over the weekend against Arizona State to have a decent chance of making the 2023 NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Trojans were just about done if they lost two of three, and they were definitely out of the field if they got swept. Two of three would have represented a decent result. It certainly wouldn’t have resolved the issue, but it would have moved USC in the right direction.
A sweep win? That’s exactly what USC needed to get on the right side of the bubble. The Trojans are certainly not a lock to make the tournament, but as things currently stand, they have to like their chances. That’s what winning three straight games against a good team will do.
Let’s go inside this series and look at what the Trojans did to dramatically change their bubble outlook:
GAME 1, MAY 12
Final: @USC_Baseball takes opener against #ArizonaState, 4-1, behind another strong start from Blake Sodersten (7 IP, 3 H. ER, 3 K).
Jacob Galloway: 2-2, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, HBP; 2-2 runners caught stealing.
Ethan Hedges: 2-4, R, 2B.— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSprD1) May 13, 2023
GAME 2, MAY 13
Final: @USC_Baseball holds #ArizonaState to 3 H for second day in a row, scoring 2 R in B8 with help of 4 free passes to lock up series win with 2-0 victory.
Ryan Jackson: 3-4.
Caden Aoki: 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K; 95 pitches.
Khristian Curtis: 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K.— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSprD1) May 14, 2023
GAME 3, MAY 14
SWEEP CITY: @USC_Baseball scores 3 R in B8 to separate for 5-1 win over #ArizonaState. Trojans give up only 10 H…for the weekend.
Tyler Stromsborg (5-3): 6.2 IP, 4 H, ER.
Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 3-4, RBI.
Ethan Hedges: 2-3, R, RBI, BB.— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSprD1) May 14, 2023
TOTAL NUMBERS
USC Baseball — Taylor Jones of Auburn Wire
USC starters pitched 21 2/3 innings over the weekend against Arizona State, allowing just two runs.
USC’s pitching staff allowed a total of two runs over the whole weekend. The bullpen did not give up a run.
MILESTONES
Andy Stankiewicz — Taylor Jones of Auburn Wire
USC’s sweep gave the Trojans 16 Pac-12 wins, their highest total since 2016.
The Trojans have reached the 30-win plateau for just the second time since 2005.
The team won 26 home games this season, nearly all of its victories. Few teams have been more dominant in their own ballyard than the Trojans in 2023.
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS | Check out highlights from USC's 31st win of the season here… pic.twitter.com/lWQ4XuUysj
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) May 15, 2023
GAME DETAILS AND BUBBLE NOTES
RECAP | USC closed out its home schedule in style on Sunday, sweeping ASU to finish 26-6 at Dedeaux Field and add another highlight to their postseason resume.https://t.co/Wfe61IrI9e
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) May 15, 2023
RPI: NO. 57
‼️‼️LATEST RPI‼️‼️
We released our latest Top 25 Rankings this morning.
Now, it's time to release the very latest RPI figures two weeks from Selection Monday. https://t.co/Yc37D7n8RW pic.twitter.com/lJRIttAQ0Z
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) May 15, 2023
PAC-12 SHIFTS
How about the massive weekends out West from @UW_Baseball and @USC_Baseball?
Washington sweeps Oregon and moves all the way up to 31 in the RPI (+17 spots) and USC sweeps Arizona State to go up 8 spots to 57 in the RPI.
ASU needs to be very very careful right now.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) May 14, 2023
USC IN THE PAC-12
USC Baseball — Taylor Jones of Auburn Wire
The Trojans are 16-11 in the Pac-12, fourth behind first-place Stanford (20-7), second-place Washington (16-10), and third-place Oregon State (18-12).
NEXT UP: ARIZONA, WHICH WON A 21-20 GAME OVER THE WEEKEND AGAINST STANFORD
Road slate wrapped 🫡 #BearDown
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) May 15, 2023
