LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Grant Govel pitched eight dominant innings and Kevin Takeuchi hit a two-run home run as Southern California defeated Purdue 6-1 on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in a Big Ten Conference game.

Govel allowed two hits and no earned runs while striking out eight. He retired 13 of the final 14 batters he faced. The victory improved Southern California’s record to 33-11, while Purdue dropped to 27-14.

The game’s decisive moment came in the bottom of the third inning. With the Trojans holding a 3-1 lead, Augie Lopez doubled to left-center field. Takeuchi followed by homering to center field, driving in Lopez and himself to make the score 5-1.

Southern California had seized control in the first inning. After Adrian Lopez singled, Augie Lopez singled to put runners at first and third. Jaydon Basseer singled to center field, driving in Adrian Lopez to tie the score at 1. Abbie Covarrubias then singled through the left side, scoring Augie Lopez and Basseer, who came home on a fielding error by the left fielder. That gave the Trojans a 3-1 lead.

Purdue’s only run came in the ninth inning. With Chase Herrell on the mound for Southern California, Purdue’s catcher Boyle singled to shortstop. Anderson reached on a fielder’s choice, and Manias doubled to center field, putting Anderson on third. Flores grounded out to second base, scoring Anderson and cutting the deficit to 6-1.

Purdue starter Zach Erdman was pulled after two innings, allowing four hits and four runs, though only three were earned. He struck out three. Gavin Beuter threw four scoreless innings for the Boilermakers, allowing no hits and striking out two. Joe Trenerry pitched two innings, surrendering one earned run on one hit while striking out one.

Takeuchi finished 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Covarrubias went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Augie Lopez went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Adrian Lopez went 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Andrew Lamb, who pinch-hit in the eighth inning, went 1-for-1 with a double.

For Purdue, Manias had a double and an RBI. Richmond and Malbrough each singled, and Boyle singled. The Boilermakers totaled four hits in the game.

Southern California collected 11 hits. The Trojans put the game away in the eighth inning when Takeuchi was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a Covarrubias bunt single, and scored on a wild pitch by Trenerry.

The series opened Friday with Southern California winning 4-3. The teams conclude the three-game set Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Purdue 8, Southern California 4. Interstat’s ELO system projected Southern California with a 67.60 percent probability to win.