Buckeyes Edged by USC, 5-3

Friday, April 4

Irvine, Calif.

9:30 P.M. ET/6:30 P.M. PT

Ohio State

8-18, 2-8

USC

18-11, 7-6

Ohio State

USC

Buckeyes Edged by USC, 5-3

4/5/2025 1:25:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. – The Ohio State baseball team (8-18, 2-8 Big Ten) was narrowly defeated by USC (18-11, 7-6 Big Ten), 5-3, on Friday night in Irvine.

Game Recap

The Trojans scored first, taking a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after a bases-loaded walk, a score on a wild pitch, a two-RBI double and an RBI single.
Lee Ellis had the first hit of the game for the Buckeyes with a one-out infield single in the top of the fourth inning. Tyler Pettorini followed that with a double down the left field line to put two runners in scoring position. With two outs on the board, Mason Eckelman sent a single into right field to send both runners home and cut the USC lead to three, 5-2.
With one out in the top of the fifth, Nick Giamarusti singled to left center and he stole second, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Giamarusti scored on a wild pitch to put the Buckeyes within two runs of the Trojans, 5-3.
In the top of the sixth inning with one out, Eckelman doubled down the left field line, followed by a single to left field from Matthew Graveline. The Trojans, however, turned a double play to end the top half of the inning.
With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Reggie Bussey singled to first base, but he was tagged out after touching the safety base to end the game.

Buckeyes by the Numbers

After allowing five runs in the first inning, the Buckeye pitching staff combined for seven shutout innings.
Eckelman led the Buckeyes with two hits and two RBIs.
Drew Erdmann (0-3) took the loss. He struck out two and allowed five runs on three hits in 3.2 innings pitched.
Nik Copenhaver struck out a career-high four in 2.1 innings of relief.
Gavin Kuzniewski fanned three in 2.0 innings tossed.

Up Next

The Buckeyes continue their series against USC with a game on Saturday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. ET and a game on Sunday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m. CT/4:00 p.m. ET.

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