SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (02/27/2026) — The No. 25 USC Trojans secured a decisive 4-0 road victory against the Cal Poly Mustangs on Friday night, extending their perfect start to the season. The Trojans' pitching staff was the story of the game, delivering their third shutout of the young season and holding the Mustangs to just five hits at Baggett Stadium.
From the outset, USC's arms controlled the contest. Starting pitcher Chase Herrell was masterful over five scoreless innings, effectively silencing the Cal Poly lineup. Herrell allowed only two hits and a pair of walks while striking out five batters to earn the win. The Trojans' bullpen seamlessly continued the dominant performance, with Gavin Lauridsen, Sax Matson, and Adam Troy combining to preserve the shutout over the final four frames.
The Trojans' offense provided all the support their pitchers would need with a methodical approach at the plate. USC broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning, manufacturing a pair of runs through aggressive baserunning and timely hitting. Abbrie Covarrubias ignited the rally, eventually scoring on a wild pitch. Adrian Lopez followed with a sacrifice fly to double the lead.
USC added to their advantage in the fifth inning when Covarrubias once again proved to be a catalyst. He tripled and then showcased his baserunning prowess by scoring on another Cal Poly wild pitch, pushing the lead to 3-0. The final run of the game came in the seventh inning, as Kevin Takeuchi laced a triple to center field, scoring Isaac Cadena and providing an insurmountable 4-0 cushion.
While the Trojans' offense was efficient, the Cal Poly Mustangs struggled to build any sustained momentum against the quartet of USC pitchers. The Mustangs' best opportunity to get on the scoreboard came in the bottom of the seventh inning when they managed to load the bases with two outs. However, USC's Sax Matson entered the high-leverage situation and promptly recorded a crucial strikeout to extinguish the threat and maintain the Trojans' commanding lead. For Cal Poly, freshman right-hander Corden Pettey was tagged with the loss, despite a solid effort that included seven strikeouts over four innings of work. Alejandro Garza was a bright spot for the Mustangs, extending his hitting streak to eight games with a single.
The star of the game for the victorious USC Trojans was undoubtedly starting pitcher Chase Herrell. His five shutout innings set the tone for the entire contest and put his team in a position to win. Offensively, Abbrie Covarrubias was a constant threat, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. His ability to create scoring opportunities with his speed was a key factor in the Trojans' victory.
This win marks the Trojans' eighth consecutive victory to start the 2026 season and their first road win of the year. The victory continues USC's early-season dominance and solidifies their position as a top-25 team. For the Cal Poly Mustangs, the loss drops them to 4-4 on the season as they look to rebound in the remaining games of the series. The series continues with the next game scheduled for Saturday afternoon.