Overview
- Game 1 of the best-of-three series begins Friday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with Game 2 set for Saturday on ESPN and a Game 3 if necessary.
- USC reached the super regionals by coming out of the loser's bracket in College Station and beating No. 12 Texas A&M twice to win that regional.
- The Trojans’ strength is pitching: ace Mason Edwards (8-0, 1.85 ERA, 164 strikeouts) anchors a deep staff that ranks among the nation’s best in limiting hits.
- North Carolina comes in after sweeping the Chapel Hill Regional, relying on home-field advantage and hot hitter Owen Hull (.372, team-high RBI) for timely offense.
- A USC road-track record of 15-15 contrasts with a 32-1 home mark and makes this cross-country trip a key test; the series winner advances to Omaha for the College World Series and a chance at a national title.