The College Station Regional produced a tense finish as USC surrendered a one-run lead in the ninth inning and fell 5-4 to Texas State at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. A combination of an early ninth-inning fielding error and a two-run home run by Chase Mora flipped momentum and sent the Trojans into an elimination position.
The game featured strategic pitching decisions, a late offensive burst, and notable defensive plays that kept the contest tight until the final outs. USC opened with a plan to protect its ace, but bullpen usage and a critical matchup in the ninth shaped the outcome.
How the late inning unraveled
The ninth inning began with Justin Vossos hitting a slow chopper toward USC third baseman Maximo Martinez. Martinez failed to handle the short hop cleanly and was charged with an error, placing the tying run at the plate. After Vossos advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, coach Andy Stankiewicz turned to his closer, Adam Troy, seeking the final outs. On Troy’s second pitch, Chase Mora launched a two-run homer to left-center field that erased USC’s advantage and put Texas State ahead.
Earlier moments that mattered
USC had taken a 4-3 lead in the eighth when Adrian Lopez homered to right field for a solo shot. That swing looked decisive until the ninth. The Trojans’ starting strategy focused on keeping ace Mason Edwards fresh; coach Stankiewicz started Grant Govel instead, hoping to reserve Edwards for a potential matchup with top-seeded Texas A&M. Govel responded with a solid outing, giving up four hits and three runs across 5⅔ innings, but the bullpen could not preserve the late lead.
Defense and missed opportunities
USC’s offense struggled in high-leverage spots, finishing the game 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position. While the loss is often traced to the ninth-inning error, the Trojans also missed a chance in the sixth when Kevin Takeuchi’s potential run-scoring extra-base hit was robbed by Texas State right fielder Rashawn Galloway, who crashed into the wall to haul in the ball. That play prevented a run and shifted momentum back toward the home side.
Heroics and near-misses
Chase Mora stood out as the most impactful player for Texas State. Not only did he deliver the ninth-inning game-winning home run, but he also made a game-saving diving catch with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to end a possible USC comeback. Mora’s combination of offensive and defensive contributions was decisive in the comeback victory.
Other notable moments
Earlier in the contest, a strange disruption occurred when home plate umpire Connor Hoagland was struck by a foul ball that dislodged his facemask in the third inning. He required a brief pause to recover before play resumed. Additionally, USC defensive lapses and the bullpen’s inability to close the late frames compounded the team’s problems, ultimately forcing a do-or-die situation.
What this means for usc
With the loss, USC now faces a steep path: the Trojans must string together four consecutive victories to reach their first Super Regional since 2006. The team’s rotation plan shifted when coach Stankiewicz started Govel to protect Mason Edwards; as a result, Edwards is likely to be pressed into service sooner than originally planned to keep USC’s season alive. The bullpen’s performance in this game will also be under scrutiny as the Trojans navigate the elimination bracket.
USC’s next opponent is Lamar, with the game scheduled at 1 p.m. Pacific and available on ESPN+. The Trojans will need timely hitting with runners in scoring position and cleaner defense to avoid another early exit.
Despite the disappointing finish, the matchup highlighted both teams’ resilience. Texas State capitalized on the opportunity, while USC must quickly regroup, tighten its defense, and optimize pitching matchups to extend its postseason run.
