2024 Kubota College Baseball Series - Weekend 3

USC Baseball Schedule 2024: What To Know

USC baseball heads into its final season before joining the Big Ten looking to make an impression. They take on TCU twice at the Kubota College Series.

Feb 28, 2024

USC Baseball Schedule 2024: What To Know

Among the most decorated programs in college baseball is USC, which looks to add to its overflowing trophy case in 2024.

The Trojans made significant strides in 2023 after enduring a rocky 2022. Riding the momentum of a strong start with a new coaching staff, USC heads into 2024 with potential for a breakthrough back to the upper echelon of the game.

USC baseball will take part in the third week of the Kubota College Baseball Series alongside Texas A&M, TCU and Arizona State. The Trojans will battle the Horned Frogs twice over the three-game showcase.

How Did USC Baseball Do In 2023?

A new era of USC baseball saw a successful rebound from the Trojans' dismal 2022.

USC went 8-22 in the Pac-12 and 25-28 overall in 2022, but returned to the right side of .500 in both regards last season at 17-13 and 34-23-1.

Who Coaches USC Baseball?

Andy Stankiewicz became USC head coach in 2023 after a successful decade heading up Grand Canyon.

Stankiewicz guided the Antelopes' transition from Div. II to Div. I, where Grand Canyon finished with a record better than .500 in every full season except one. The Antelopes' first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance came under Stankiewicz in 2021.

Has USC Ever Won The College World Series?

Yes, USC has won 12 College World Series in program history. The Trojans' first national championship came in 1948, kicking off a run of claiming at least one College World Series title in four consecutive decades.

USC won the College World Series again in 1958, 1961, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1978.

What had been the program's longest drought lasted 20 years until the 1998 Trojans added title No. 12. That was the program's last heading into 2024.

Notable Returning Players

Caden Aoki, RHP

Caden Aoki was the best starting pitcher for USC in 2024, compiling a 2.98 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings of work. His ERA was tops in the Pac-12—not a bad way to debut upon his transfer from Notre Dame.

At Notre Dame, Aoki struck out 10 batters in just 9 1/3 innings pitched.

Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, INF

Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek debuted as a redshirt freshman with USC's second-best batting average at .302. His 40 RBI were also second among all Trojans.

Martin-Grudzielanek also homered seven times in his 202 at-bats in an outstanding 2023.

Notable Newcomers

Duce Robinson, OF

In the last week of December 2023, Duce Robinson caught a long touchdown pass in USC's Holiday Bowl win over Louisville. The two-sport sensation transitions over to the diamond, where he comes in as one of the Pac-12's top freshmen of the new season.

Robinson was ranked the fourth overall prospect coming out of the state of Arizona in the 2023 class, and 30th nationally among all outfielders.

Kevin Takeuchi, INF

Among the nation's top-ranked freshman middle infielders, Kevin Takeuchi comes to USC from San Diego-area prep power Rancho Bernardo High School. Takeuchi hit an astounding .520 with 13 home runs for RBHS a season ago.