This was an unexpected role reversal.
Mason Edwards, the USC ace who had given such a lead to his bullpen, suddenly needed helpers to rescue him.
That was the situation the Trojans faced Friday in their biggest game of the season.
Looking up after three innings, Edwards looked frustrated as he watched from the dugout as his team threw against fifth-seeded North Carolina in the first of three NCAA Tournament Super Regionals.
The bullpen’s collective response?
No problem. We got it.
Three pitchers combined to give up one run in six perfect innings in the Trojans’ 9-5 victory over the Tar Heels, silencing all but those wearing cardinal and gold inside Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC.
Chase Herrell (6-4) gave up one run in two innings before Ben Cushnie recorded the first in the sixth inning. Andrew Johnson took it from there, pitching 3 ⅔ scoreless innings to follow up his perfect start against Texas A&M last week with his first save of the season.
“You saw the job he did in College Station — it was a big moment, and we needed it again today,” USC coach Andy Stankiewicz told reporters after his team won its first College World Series since 2001.
The shutout effort allowed the Trojans’ offense to rally for eight straight runs, including Dean Carpentier’s grand slam as part of the decisive sixth inning.
“It was just going in, move on [in the count]close the gap and wait for our offense to do what we’ve been doing all season,” Herrell said of the mindset of those rescued after Edwards’ fumble.
A bullpen bailout was needed after Edwards was rocking the start of every inning.
The bases were loaded with nobody out.
They don’t run the first and second runs without anyone coming out.
Taking the lead followed by two goals.
After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, Edwards didn’t fare well under the same pressure, allowing two runs in the second inning and two more in the third.
The left-hander left after giving up four runs and four runs while striking out five and walking four. He threw just 44 of 77 pitches for a score after two outs in the walk.
“He made some big pitches to get out of some lanes, but he wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen him in the past,” Stankiewicz said on ESPN2 radio. “His fastball was missing the top, his breaking ball wasn’t as good as it is, so he felt like it was time to make a move.”
It was the smartest thing he did all day.
