USC bolsters NCAA tournament resume with Big Ten pool play win over Washington

It finally happened for USC at the Big Ten tournament. Better safe than sorry was the mentality of the Trojans after dropping one to Penn State on Thursday. For a ball club that many expect to be in the NCAA tournament anyway, this 6-5 walk-off win against Washington was a finishing touch to ensure their place in continued postseason play.

It looked promising in the beginning as USC took an early 2-0 lead. That advantage quickly vanished, however, when the Huskies put together five runs in the top of the sixth inning. For a moment, it looked like the final opportunity for the Trojans to make a positive case to the NCAA tournament committee was drifting away.

Brayden Dowd responded with a solo home run to get one back. Even then, however, USC was down a score heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.

With Dowd and Ethan Hedges already on, Adrian Lopez produced a two-run RBI double that saw Hedges advance from first base. After a review, the close call at the plate was upheld, and the Trojans won their last ball game of the Big Ten Tournament.

That victory was needed. Probably in the NCAA tournament anyway, coach Andy Stankiewicz's ball club looked like the team that went on an incredible run during the regular season, en route to earning 30-plus wins.

Great result for USC was desperately needed

In what has been a frustrating month with many close losses that had several 'if only' moments, being able to beat a strong Washington team that earned the fifth seed throughout the course of BIG play for a reason is a highly encouraging sign.

More importantly, this result came when it looked like the Huskies had all of the momentum and the Trojans were struggling to drive the needed runners home. Now, with another good win over a quality opponent, or, as Caden Aoki would say, an 18th Quad 1 + Quad 2 win, USC can watch the selection unveiling, knowing that their name will be called.