The outlook wasn’t good for USC halfway through Tuesday’s first Pac-12 Tournament game for the Trojans. They trailed UCLA 4-1. Their offense needed to break free and they also needed to shut down the Bruins’ bats. Everything needed to go just right over the final four and a half innings for USC to mount a comeback in a game it needed to win.
This wasn’t necessarily a must-win for USC. Experts felt the Trojans’ chances of making the NCAA Tournament were better than 50-50 even with a loss. However, a loss here plus a loss to Washington on Thursday would have created a very long wait for USC heading into the selection show for the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
If the Trojans wanted to reduce drama and anxiety, they really needed to make the comeback and beat the Bruins.
Mission accomplished. USC stormed back to win 6-4 and significantly improve its chances of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.
Let’s give you some game details: