USC 1973 College World Series battle versus Minnesota remains the stuff of legends
This weekend marks the start of the 2025 Men's College World Series. USC baseball will not be playing in Omaha this year, after the Trojans fell to Oregon State in the final of the Corvallis Regional. Back in 1973, however, the Trojans played in one of the greatest College World Series games of all-time.
In a 2020 story, Trojans Wire's Matt Zemek detailed the wild 1973 game between USC and Minnesota.
'Dave Winfield was a badass pitcher in the 1973 College World Series,' Zemek wrote. 'In his first start of the series -- against Oklahoma -- Winfield pitched a shutout in which he struck out 14 batters. He won, 1-0. Against USC in this late-round contest a few days later, he dominated once again, shutting out the Trojans through eight innings on one hit, striking out 15 hitters.
"Let's keep in mind here: Dave Winfield is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He is unquestionably an all-time-great player. He was absolutely mowing down everyone he faced in the 1973 College World Series. He threw 17 shutout innings in two games. His Minnesota team led USC 7-0 entering the ninth inning of the 1973 semifinal (a semifinal in which Minnesota needed to beat USC once to force a rematch to make the finals). One team having a seven-run lead entering the ninth is, by itself, "game over" 99.999 percent of the time. With a future Hall of Famer on the mound for Minnesota, the game felt that much more done and dusted.
"If you have never heard about this game before, and you're reading all these words being written about the game, you can guess what we're about to say next: Yes, USC scored eight runs in the ninth to win, 8-7. Winfield's arm got tired -- at 140 pitches, with one out in the ninth -- and he left the game with the Gophers' lead being cut to 7-4. The Minnesota bullpen couldn't get two lousy outs with a three-run lead. USC just kept slashing away, knocking one hit after another to mount the most incredible rally the College World Series has ever seen.
"What adds to the specialness of the rally is that USC went on to win the 1973 CWS title, part of a run of five straight national championships from 1970 through 1974, easily the most dynastic run in the event's history. USC baseball from 1970 through 1974 is the equivalent of what John Wooden and UCLA basketball achieved with seven straight national championships from 1967 through 1973.'
The Trojans have not been back to the College World Series since 2001. After a breakthrough season under Andy Stankiewicz this year, USC fans are hopeful that a return to Omaha is not all that far away.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
Makai Lemon named to 2025 Biletnikoff Award watch list
There is no doubt that USC football star Makai Lemon is one of the most electrifying receivers in college football. Given his production last year, expectations are getting even higher for him. Lemon last year put up great numbers without constant stability at the USC quarterback position. He used his versatility to make big plays for the Trojans every Saturday. Last season Lemon led the Trojans in receptions (52) and receiving yards (764). His big play ability was not limited to just the offensive side of the ball. He was also a reliable threat in the return game. Makai Lemon fielded 19 kick returns for 514 yards, with his longest return reaching 80 yards, solidifying him as the sixth-best kick returner in the country. Makai Lemon was named to the 2025 Biletnikoff Award watch list. He can also be a candidate for the Paul Hornung Award in 2025. It could be a really special season filled with accolades and success. Lemon wants to establish himself as a first round receiver in next year's NFL draft. Makai Lemon has the talent to be great. With an offseason full of building chemistry with starting quarterback Jayden Maiva and Ja'Kobi Lane -- another talented receiver on the opposite side of the field -- last season's impressive stats should only be the beginning for what Lemon will do in his career.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Makai Lemon in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 24 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at current USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Position: Wide receiver Years played at USC: 2023-Present Career highlights: Lemon wore the No. 24 as a true freshman at USC in 2023, before switching to No. 6 last season. The number change proved to be effective, as he improved from just six receptions for 54 yards his first season to 52 for 764 last year, leading the team in both categories. Lemon represented the Trojans at Big Ten media days in Las Vegas last month. He figured to play a major role in USC's offense once again in 2025.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Vikings' Jordan Mason earns top billing in unique fantasy football category
We've turned the calendar to August, which means that football season is right around the corner. The pre-season has technically already kicked off, but the main event is still a few weeks away. What is on a lot of football fans' minds right now is their fantasy team and how they can out-maneuver their league mates to take home that ever-elusive Fantasy Football Championship. Arguably, the best way to do that is by doing your homework and finding those "diamonds in the rough" players that the rest of your league is going to overlook. That quarterback who most people didn't think was going to win the starting job, but you had your eyes on. The wide receiver who was fourth on the depth chart but exploded on the scene to become a force in the offense. Or by choosing the right "handcuff RB". That is the running back who isn't going to start for their team, but could still find fantasy relevance, usually due to an injury to the starter. Recently, the team at Bleacher Report ranked every team by their backup running back situation to help the fantasy community identify some of those worthwhile handcuffs, and one Vikings running back features highly on the list. Minnesota acquired Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers, and he figures to provide a nice complement to starting running back Aaron Jones. So much so that Bleacher Report ranks him as their 4th-best "handcuff" running back for this season. It shouldn't be surprising to see Mason figuring prominently on this list. Last season as a member of the 49ers, Mason got to see extended action as the team's starting running back while oft-injured Christian McCaffery dealt with Achilles' tendon and knee issues. That season, Mason rushed for 789 yards and three touchdowns. Not overwhelming numbers, but he showed enough promise for the Vikings to bring him in as insurance for their own aging running back. With uncertainty around new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Mason could have a larger-than-expected role in the offense if McCarthy struggles early and head coach Kevin O'Connell decides to lean heavily on the run game. Mason could also wind up vulturing touchdowns from Jones in goal-to-go situations if the team opts to try and preserve Jones and save him from some of those scrums. Mason comes in behind only Seattle Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet, Pittsburgh Steelers' Jaylen Warren, and Detroit Lions' David Montgomery -- who arguably shares starting duties with Jahmyr Gibbs.
