LOS ANGELES – Illinois fell to No. 20 USC, 5-3, in its series finale at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles.
The Illini took a 2-0 lead in the first inning before the Trojans accounted for the game's next five runs. A late Illinois rally was not enough as USC remained perfect in 2026.
AJ Putty and Will Johannes posted two-hit days at the plate, while five different Illini tallied a hit.
Aidan Flinn earned the start, while Kyle Remington and Reed Gannon entered in relief, with Gannon going three innings without conceding an earned run.
GAME NOTES
- Nick Groves went 1-for-4 and reached base twice.
- Extended his on-base streak to 26 games.
- Michael Farina finished 1-for-5 with an RBI double.
- Has reached base in each of his first 14 games as an Illini.
- Has a hit in eight straight games.
- Drove in his seventh run of the season.
- AJ Putty went 2-for-3 while reaching four times.
- Posted the sixth multi-hit game of his career.
- Has a hit in seven of the last eight games and in 11 of the last 13.
- Recorded his team-leading 23rd RBI of the season.
- Had a career-high two walks.
- Reached base at least four times for the second time.
- Will Johannes went 2-for-3 while reaching three times.
- Tallied his fifth multi-hit outing of the season.
- Cole Crafton tallied the first hit of his collegiate career, driving in a run on his pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth.
- Aidan Flinn made his second start of the season, going 2.1 innings with one run allowed.
- Kyle Remington went 2.2 innings and struck out three Trojan hitters.
- Reed Gannon tossed 3.0 innings with no earned runs allowed.
- Posted his third game with no earned runs this season.
- Went at least three innings for the second time.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini return to Illinois Field for a four-game homestand next week. Illinois will host Western Illinois on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT before taking on Minnesota in a three-game conference series, starting Friday. All four games will stream on B1G+.
