GAME RECAP: Trojans Complete the Sweep Over the Owls, as USC stays unbeaten in 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA – Adrian “Augie” Lopez got the Trojans started on this Sunday afternoon, blasting a two-run homer in the first inning and adding an RBI single in the third to drive in three runs total, powering the USC Trojans to a 4-2 victory over Rice on Sunday afternoon at Dedeaux Field. The win completed a dominant three-game series sweep of the Owls and kept the Trojans unbeaten at a sizzling 7-0 to start the 2026 season.

USC jumped on Rice starter Brayden Sanders early, with Lopez’s two-run shot in the bottom of the first giving the Trojans a quick 2-0 lead. They added two more in the third on Lopez’s RBI single and another run-scoring play, pushing the advantage to 4-0. Rice scratched across a run in the second and one more in the eighth, but that was all the Owls could muster against a stingy USC pitching staff.

Starter Andrew Johnson set the tone on the mound, tossing five strong innings of one-run ball while striking out six and limiting Rice to just four hits. The Trojan bullpen took it from there, slamming the door shut in the final four frames. Adam Troy earned the save, his third of the young season, as USC improved to 7-0 overall while handing Rice its fourth straight loss to fall to 3-5.

Kevin Takeuchi and Abbrie Covarrubias each collected two hits, with Covarrubias scoring twice to help spark the offense. The Trojans tallied five hits overall but made them count, capitalizing on timely hitting and Rice’s lone error.

The series sweep marks USC’s first-ever series victory over Rice in Los Angeles and continues the Trojans’ red-hot start after opening the year with a sweep of Pepperdine and a midweek win over LMU. Pitching has been the story early, with USC starters combining for dominant outings all weekend while the bullpen has been lights-out in relief.

The Trojans will now turn their attention to a four-game set against Cal Poly beginning Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at Dedeaux Field. With the bats heating up and the arms firing on all cylinders, this 7-0 start has Trojan fans dreaming big as the 2026 campaign rolls on.