Mason Edwards, USC’s left-handed ace, enters NCAA regionals with nation-leading 160 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA. He has gone 8-0 in 15 starts and has recorded nine-plus strikeouts in all but two games during the 2026 season, including a career-high 16 strikeouts in a 9-2 win over Iowa. Edwards was once an underrecruited prospect with a 7.88 freshman ERA, and he has developed into one of college baseball’s premier pitchers. He was named Big Ten 2026 Pitcher of the Year after posting 113 strikeouts in conference play. He aims to help USC win its first College World Series title since 1998.
"USC's ace takes the mound like a boxer enters the ring, eager to land blow after blow. And as the Trojans (43-15) open the NCAA tournament in College Station, Texas, at 6 p.m. PDT Friday (ESPNU), the southpaw packs a serious punch. He carries a nation-leading 160 strikeouts and the second-best 1.43 ERA."
""They're getting a competitor," Edwards said of what people can expect when he pitches. "There have been a lot of situations where I've had to battle and fight adversity. So, I think you'll see a good fight when I toe the rubber. I'm not going to shy away from any type of competition.""
"Named the Big Ten 2026 Pitcher of the Year after stacking a record 113 strikeouts in conference play, Edwards is integral to what has been USC's best team since the early 2000s. The junior enters Friday's regional matchup against Texas State with a perfect 8-0 record through 15 starts and 88 1/3 total innings and has collected nine-plus strikeouts in all but two games during the 2026 season."
"MLB.com ranks Edwards No. 36 in its latest draft prospect rankings. Despite being on his way to becoming a professional baseball player, Edwards remains focused on helping the Trojans pursue their first national title"
Read at Los Angeles Times
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