LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — In a nonconference matchup defined by a stunning start and a resilient comeback, the Southern California Trojans edged the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 7-6 on Tuesday night at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

The Gauchos ambushed Trojan starter G. Rizzo in the first inning, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring six runs before an out was recorded. Kelly opened the game with a double, Beazizo followed with an RBI single, and Xavier Esquer delivered the biggest blow with a two-run double to right center. The Gauchos added another run in the third on an RBI single by Karliner, staking themselves to a 6-0 lead.

The most important part of the game, however, was the response from the Southern California bullpen. After the disastrous first, Chase Herrell entered in the second inning and provided critical stability. The top star for the Trojans, Herrell pitched 5 1/3 innings of relief, allowing just three hits and two earned runs while striking out one. His performance halted the Gauchos’ momentum and allowed his team to mount a comeback.

Southern California began chipping away in the bottom of the third. After a double by Cadena and a walk, Abbrie Covarrubias tripled to right center, driving in two runs. Martinez followed with an RBI groundout, cutting the deficit to 6-3.

The Trojans completed their rally in the fourth inning. Adrian Lopez led off with a solo home run to left field. After a pitching change, Lamb singled and Takeuchi doubled, setting up two more runs that scored on a passed ball and an RBI groundout by Cadena, tying the game at 6.

Southern California took its first lead in the sixth. With two on and two out, Carpentier singled up the middle off reliever Jack, driving in Takeuchi for the go-ahead run. That made it 7-6.

The Gauchos threatened repeatedly but could not reclaim the lead. They loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh but came up empty. In the ninth, Kelly led off with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Beazizo to pull within one. But Trojan reliever Adam Troy, who earned the win, got the next two batters to seal the victory.

UC Santa Barbara outhit Southern California 10-8, led by Esquer who went 2 for 4 with a double, triple and two RBIs. Stunner Gonzalez, Hudson Aber, Nic Peterson and Raymond Olivas combined for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Gauchos.

The win improved Southern California’s record to 27-3, while UC Santa Barbara fell to 16-10. The teams are scheduled to meet again next Tuesday in Santa Barbara.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 7-3 Trojan victory, though their ELO system gave Southern California only a slight 52.4% probability to win.