LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The top-ranked Southern California Trojans, behind a dominant start from Chase Herrell and a timely three-run homer from Andrew Lamb, extended their perfect start to the season with a 6-1 victory over the Long Beach State Dirtbags on Tuesday night at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

The win improved the Trojans to 16-0, while the Dirtbags fell to 4-12.

The most important part of the game came in the bottom of the second inning, which transformed a scoreless contest and set the tone for the evening. After Long Beach State starter Van Larson recorded two quick outs, the Trojans’ Kaito Takeuchi doubled and Isaiah Cadena followed with an infield single. With runners on second and third, Lamb then delivered the decisive blow, launching a three-run home run to right field to give Southern California a lead it would not relinquish.

Herrell, named the top star for Southern California, earned the win with a commanding performance. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out seven. His effort provided stability after the Trojans’ offense had staked him to an early advantage. Herrell’s outing marked a bounce-back from his previous start against UC Irvine, where he allowed three earned runs in four innings.

The Trojans added a run in the third inning when Mateo Martinez drove in Diego Covarrubias with a single, pushing the lead to 4-0.

Long Beach State’s lone run came in the fourth. Cole Evans singled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and a flyout, and scored on a two-out RBI single from Alex Lina. That run ended Herrell’s shutout bid but was the only significant offensive threat the Dirtbags could muster against the Trojans’ pitching staff.

After Herrell departed with two on in the sixth, the USC bullpen was flawless. Henry Chabot threw 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief, striking out three, and Gavin Lauridsen struck out two in a perfect ninth inning. Combined, four Trojan pitchers limited Long Beach State to just three hits and struck out 12 Dirtbags batters.

Long Beach State’s bullpen also found success after a rocky start. Following Larson, who was charged with four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, a parade of relievers kept the game within reach. Joey Iglesias, Brad Grindlinger, and Caleb Anderson combined for 4 1/3 hitless innings of relief before the Trojans broke through for two insurance runs in the eighth.

In that eighth inning, facing Long Beach State’s Tyler Gebb, a fielding error and a single set the stage for Lamb to drive in his fourth run of the night with a sacrifice fly. Maddox Riske followed with an RBI double to cap the scoring at 6-1.

The Dirtbags’ offensive struggles continued, as they have now lost six of their last seven games. Southern California, meanwhile, continued its march through the early season, having outscored opponents 99-38 during its 16-game win streak.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Southern California entered the game with a 76.10 percent probability to win.

The Trojans are scheduled to host San Diego on Wednesday. Long Beach State’s next game is Friday, opening a three-game home series against Hawaii.