GAME RECAP: Trojans Open Big Ten Play With Shutout Over Illinois, Edwards Fans 11 as USC Stays Unbeaten at 13-0

LOS ANGELES, CA – Mason Edwards delivered a masterful performance on the mound, striking out 11 batters over six shutout innings, as the USC Trojans blanked the Illinois Fighting Illini 4-0 on Friday night at Dedeaux Field. The victory not only extended USC’s historic unbeaten streak to 13-0 but also marked a dominant start to Big Ten conference play, with the Trojans moving to 1-0 in league action while dropping Illinois to 7-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten.

USC wasted no time asserting control, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone. After Isaac Cadena drew a walk, Adrian Lopez crushed a two-run homer to left field on the first pitch he saw, giving the Trojans an early 2-0 lead. Kevin Takeuchi followed with a single and later scored on a RBI base hit up the middle from Maximo Martinez, pushing the advantage to 3-0 before Illinois could even settle in.

The Trojans’ offense went quiet for much of the middle innings, but Edwards ensured the lead held firm. The junior right-hander was untouchable, allowing just two hits—both singles—while walking two and fanning 11 of the 25 batters he faced. Edwards’ dominance was evident from the start, as he struck out the side in the second inning and racked up multiple strikeouts in four of his six frames. His 11 strikeouts matched a career high and improved his record to 3-0 on the season, with the win coming on an efficient 100 pitches.

Illinois threatened sporadically but could never break through against USC’s pitching staff. The Illini managed only two hits total: a single from Michael Farina in the third and another from Daniel Contreras in the sixth. USC’s defense, despite committing two errors, turned a key double play in the fourth to snuff out any momentum. Relievers Gavin Lauridsen and Adam Troy closed the door, combining for three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and just one hit batsman between them.

The Trojans added an insurance run in the eighth on an unearned tally. Lopez reached on an error and advanced before scoring on Takeuchi’s sacrifice fly to center, making it 4-0. Lopez finished the night 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, leading USC’s six-hit attack. Martinez added two hits, including his RBI single, while Takeuchi contributed a hit and the sac fly RBI.

For Illinois, starter Ben Plumley (1-2) took the loss after surrendering three runs on four hits over five innings, with three walks and one strikeout. Reliever Sam Reed pitched three innings but allowed the unearned run in the eighth.

With the shutout—their third of the season—USC continues to showcase a formidable pitching staff that’s held opponents to two hits or fewer in four games this year. The Trojans’ 13-0 start is the best in program history since 1974, and this Big Ten opener sets a strong tone for the conference slate. USC will look to keep the momentum going in game two of the series against Illinois on Saturday at Dedeaux Field.