Mon Jun 02 02:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

Despite a recent slump, Ethan Hedges, deemed the “scariest hitter” by Saint Mary’s coach Eric Valenzuela, broke out with a two-home run performance to lead USC to a 6-4 victory over Saint Mary’s in the Corvallis Regional. Hedges’ timely hitting, along with key contributions from Augie Lopez and solid pitching from Mason Edwards and Caden Hunter, propelled USC to within one win of their first Super Regional appearance since 2005. After Saint Mary’s loaded the bases in the eighth, USC coach Andy Stankiewicz made a pitching change that worked out with reliever Caden Hunter extinguishing Saint Mary’s hope. USC will play for the regional title on Sunday night.

**News Article:**

**Hedges’ Two Homers Propel USC to Brink of Super Regional Berth**

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Ethan Hedges rediscovered his early-season form Saturday night, blasting two home runs, including a go-ahead shot, as USC defeated Saint Mary’s 6-4 in the Corvallis Regional. The Trojans (37-21) are now one win away from their first Super Regional appearance since 2005.

Hedges, who had been in a slump after a blistering start to the season, proved Saint Mary’s coach Eric Valenzuela’s preseason worries accurate, opening the scoring with a solo homer in the first inning. After Saint Mary’s responded with three of their own, freshman Augie Lopez tied the game with a two run shot in the fourth before Hedges’ second homer in the fifth inning put USC ahead for good.

“He was just in situations where we really had to go after him a little bit,” Valenzuela said. “I mean, if you make a mistake to a good player like that, he’s going to make you pay for it, so he hurt us today.”

USC’s Mason Edwards pitched effectively, going 5 ⅓ innings, while the Trojan bullpen held off a late rally by the Gaels (36-25). In the eight inning with the bases loaded, Coach Andy Stankiewicz made a crucial pitching change, bringing in left-hander Caden Hunter who slammed the door with a strikeout.

“We’ve heard coach say 1,000 times that it’s time to get this program back to where it has been,” Hedges said. “and I think this year we’ve really got all the pieces to do that. We’ve shown that we have the talent to do that.”

USC will face the winner of Sunday afternoon’s Oregon State-Saint Mary’s game in the regional final Sunday night. A win sends them to the Super Regional.

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