Trojans Clinch Spot in Scottsdale With 9-4 Win Over Cougars

PULLMAN, Wash. – The USC baseball team rallied for five runs in the seventh inning to take down Washington State, 9-4, on Saturday afternoon, securing a berth in the Pac-12 Tournament in the process.
 
USC moves to 23-27 overall and 13-12 in Pac-12 play, guaranteeing a spot in the top nine of the league and entry into the conference tournament in Scottsdale, May 21-25. Washington State falls to 21-28 on the year and 9-17 in conference action.
 
The Trojans trailed 3-2 heading into the seventh, but scored five runs on six hits, including a two-run homer to dead center by Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek. Jacob Galloway and Austin Overn each singled in runs, before Hedges hit a run-scoring double to set up Martin-Grudzielanek's capping shot.
 
USC added two more in the ninth to make it 9-3, getting a two-run double from Overn. Washington State got a solo-homer from Will Cresswell in the bottom of the eighth for their fourth run.
 
Caden Aoki made his first start in over a month in the game, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings. Brodie Purcell picked up the win as the pitcher of record in the seventh, tossing 2.0 scoreless relief innings on the day. Xavier Martinez tossed the final two frames to finish things off.
 
TOP PERFORMERS

• Ryan Jackson: 3-for-5, 2R, 2B
• Austin Overn: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B
• Jacob Galloway: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2R, BB
• Brodie Purcell: W, 2.0 IP, H, 0R, BB, 2K

 
COMING UP
USC and Washington State close things out on Sunday at noon. Links to follow all games can be found on the baseball schedule page at USCTrojans.com.