Oregon Ducks Baseball vs. USC Trojans Live Score Updates

-Andrew Johnson replaces Velazquez on the mound for the Trojans.

-Drew Smith delivers another run for the Ducks as Cooney scores off his RBI single.

-Maddox Molony hits a home run to left field, extending Oregon's lead over USC.

TOP OF THE SECOND: OREGON 2, USC 0

-Oregon gets out of the jam as Gosztola records two strikeouts to end the top of the second.

-Maximo Martinez doubles to left center with one out.

-Jack Basseer hits lead off single for Trojans.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST: OREGON 2, USC 0

-Brayden Jaksa singles to left to extend Oregon lead to 2-0.

-Drew Smith grounds out, allowing Cooney to score as the Ducks strike first.

-Wild pitch advances Cooney and Laya to scoring position.

-Angel Laya hit by a pitch, Cooney advances to second.

-Ryan Cooney with a lead off single for Oregon.

-Diego Velazquez gets the start on the mound for the Trojans.

TOP OF THE FIRST: OREGON 0, USC 0

-Oregon allows no Trojans hits in the top of the first inning.

-Miles Gosztola gets the start on the mound for Oregon.

LINEUPS

OREGON DUCKS

1. Ryan Cooney
2. Angel Laya
3. Drew Smith
4. Brayden Jaksa
5. Naulivou Lauaki
6. Burke-Lee Mabeus
7. Maddox Molony
8. Jack Brooks
9. Jax Gimenez
10. Miles Gosztola

USC TROJANS

1. Kevin Takeuchi
2. Isaac Cadena
3. Adrian Lopez
4. Jack Basseer
5. Augie Lopez
6. Maximo Martinez
7. Dean Carpentier
8. Walter Urbon
9. Richard Tejeda
10. Diego Velazquez

PREVIEW

Oregon and USC split the first two games of their final series of the regular season before the Big Ten Tournament, which is set to take place in Omaha, Nebraska, at Charles Schwab Field from May 19 to 24. 

The Trojans took Game 1 of the series on Thursday with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Ducks in eleven innings. USC star pitcher Mason Edwards put together another impressive performance on the mound for the Trojans, recording 12 strikeouts and allowing four hits and no runs in six innings.

USC junior catcher Isaac Cadena’s home run in the top of the eleventh inning gave the Trojans the 2-1 win over the Ducks on Thursday night. The Ducks responded with a thrilling win of their own to keep their hopes alive for the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, beating the Trojans 4-3 on Friday night. 

In the win over the Trojans, the Ducks were led by freshman catcher Brayden Jaksa and redshirt freshman infielder Naulivou Lauaki Jr., who both recorded home runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, lifting the Ducks on Friday night.   

On the mound, the Ducks were led by sophomore right-handed pitcher Will Sanford, who had an impressive performance, recording seven strikeouts, allowing three hits, and two runs in six innings.

The Ducks aim not only to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament but also to win their regular-season finale without coach Mark Wasikowski , who won’t be with the team for Saturday’s matchup as he’ll be attending a special moment, his daughter’s graduation from Purdue University. With his absence, Oregon hitting and assistant coach Jack Marder will lead the Ducks in the dugout.

Earning the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament by beating the Trojans in the final game of the regular season could be massive for the Ducks, as it could put them in position to host an NCAA Tournament Regional in Eugene for a second consecutive season. 

The USC Trojans enter Saturday's matchup with a 42-13 overall record and are 20-9 in Big Ten play. Despite USC having a better overall record, a win for Oregon on Saturday would give them the tiebreaker as they would be 2-1 against the Trojans.

Last season, the Ducks finished with a 42-16 overall record and went 22-8 in Big Ten play and earned a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Ducks fell apart in the Eugene Regional at PK Park, losing to the Utah Valley Wolverines and Cal Poly Mustangs.