Preview: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Southern California Trojans

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The red-hot Southern California Trojans, boasting one of the nation’s premier records, will host the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in a nonconference matchup Tuesday at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

The No. 2-ranked Trojans (26-3) enter on a powerful note, coming off a series win at Maryland where they scored 29 runs in three games. Their offense is spearheaded by slugger Augie Lopez, who went 2 for 6 with two home runs and six RBIs in Sunday’s 14-4, eight-inning rout. Lopez has four homers in his last seven games.

USC’s pitching staff has been equally formidable, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in 18 of their 29 games.

The Gauchos (16-9) aim to rebound after being shut out 2-0 by Oregon on Sunday, managing just five hits. Their success may hinge on right-hander Kellan Montgomery, a player to watch who pitched well in that loss, allowing one earned run over 4 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Montgomery has shown swing-and-miss stuff, recording 22 strikeouts over his last 18 innings pitched.

UC Santa Barbara has struggled offensively at times, scoring three runs or fewer in five of its nine losses. Containing the Trojans’ deep lineup, which averages over eight runs per game, will be a formidable challenge.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Southern California 7, UC Santa Barbara 3.

This game is the first of a home-and-home set between the programs, who will meet again in Santa Barbara on April 7.

For USC, this begins a crucial stretch leading into a Pac-12 series at UCLA this weekend. The Gauchos open Big West play at Cal Poly on Thursday.