USC Upsets No. 5 North Carolina with Stellar Bullpen Performance

June 5, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA – The USC Trojans delivered a stunning performance against the No. 5 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in their Super Regional opener, thanks to a remarkable bullpen effort. This marked USC's first appearance in the Super Regionals since 2005, and they entered the matchup filled with determination after battling back from an early loss in the College Station Regional.

USC’s starting pitcher, Mason Edwards, faced significant challenges from the outset. Despite some promising moments, including escaping a bases-loaded situation in the first inning, he struggled to find his rhythm throughout the game. Edwards ended up pitching just three innings, yielding four hits and four runs, three of which were earned, alongside four walks and five strikeouts. His 77 pitches included only 44 strikes, marking a tough outing for the ace.

However, the real story of the game was the Trojans' bullpen, which proved to be a formidable force. Chase Harrell and Andrew Johnson stepped in effectively, with Johnson standing out by throwing 3 2/3 innings, allowing only two hits and striking out two batters. His previous performance against Texas A&M showcased his stamina and versatility, which has been crucial for USC during this postseason. Head coach Andy Stankiewicz praised the depth of the pitching staff, emphasizing that while Edwards and fellow ace Grant are stars, many others are also stepping up.

USC's offense initially struggled but found its footing in the third inning with a home run by Andrew Lamb. The game shifted dramatically in the sixth when Kevin Takeuchi hit an RBI single, followed by Dean Carpentier's grand slam, which propelled the Trojans into the lead. Carpentier, who had anticipated a slider, expressed his excitement about the pivotal moment, saying, "Once the ball got hit, everybody just started losing it. From that point on, it was like, we're winning this game."

With a subsequent three-run rally in the seventh inning, USC extended its lead to 9-5, maintaining control for the remainder of the game. While the result may seem surprising given North Carolina's high seeding, USC has demonstrated its strength all season, entering the game with a 48-16 record. Stankiewicz noted the importance of remaining composed under pressure, stating, "We knew if we could kind of keep ourselves in it, we thought we'd have a shot." This victory illustrates USC's resilience as they aim for further success in the postseason.