Huskies Claim Seventh Big Ten Series Win Of The Season
May 16, 2025 | Baseball
SEATTLE β Washington won its seventh Big Ten series of the season with a 3-1 victory over USC on Friday. It's the 10th win of the season for Washington while allowing one or fewer runs.
Β
The Diamond Dawgs improve to 29-25 and 17-12 in Big Ten play while USC drops to 33-20 and 17-12 in conference games.
Β
With the same conference record for both the Huskies and Trojans, Saturday's series finale will be a winner-take-all game with the victorious team claiming the fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Β
Β A strong start from Jackson Thomas and great relief pitching from Gunnar Nichols secured the victory for the Huskies. Thomas tossed 6.0 innings, allowing six hits, one run, and two walks with two strikeouts.
Β
The senior right-hander claimed his fifth win of the season in his eighth start going at least 5.0 innings with two or less runs allowed.
Β
Nichols was dominant from the moment he took the mound in the seventh. He pitched the remaining three innings to earn his first Husky save while striking out three and allowing only one baserunner from a walk.
Β
Offensively, Washington struck first, scoring in the second inning on a double steal. Jackson Hotchkiss forced the throw to second base, opening the lane for Malakhi Knight to take home.
Β
USC responded, tying the game in the third before Jackson Hotchkiss launched the Huskies back in front.
Β
The freshman blasted a 387-foot solo shot to centerfield for his fifth home run of the season to restore Washington's advantage.
Β
Then, Trevor Kole provided an insurance run in the sixth, hitting an RBI single up the middle to score Colton Bower.
Β
Washington again was able to capitalize with runners on, leaving six stranded to USC's eight. The teams were even in hits, with six apiece.
Β
Washington will go for the sweep on Saturday at 1 p.m. The series finale will also be senior day for the Husky seniors.
Β
DAWG BITES
Β
The Diamond Dawgs improve to 29-25 and 17-12 in Big Ten play while USC drops to 33-20 and 17-12 in conference games.
Β
With the same conference record for both the Huskies and Trojans, Saturday's series finale will be a winner-take-all game with the victorious team claiming the fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Β
Β A strong start from Jackson Thomas and great relief pitching from Gunnar Nichols secured the victory for the Huskies. Thomas tossed 6.0 innings, allowing six hits, one run, and two walks with two strikeouts.
Β
The senior right-hander claimed his fifth win of the season in his eighth start going at least 5.0 innings with two or less runs allowed.
Β
Nichols was dominant from the moment he took the mound in the seventh. He pitched the remaining three innings to earn his first Husky save while striking out three and allowing only one baserunner from a walk.
Β
Offensively, Washington struck first, scoring in the second inning on a double steal. Jackson Hotchkiss forced the throw to second base, opening the lane for Malakhi Knight to take home.
Β
USC responded, tying the game in the third before Jackson Hotchkiss launched the Huskies back in front.
Β
The freshman blasted a 387-foot solo shot to centerfield for his fifth home run of the season to restore Washington's advantage.
Β
Then, Trevor Kole provided an insurance run in the sixth, hitting an RBI single up the middle to score Colton Bower.
Β
Washington again was able to capitalize with runners on, leaving six stranded to USC's eight. The teams were even in hits, with six apiece.
Β
Washington will go for the sweep on Saturday at 1 p.m. The series finale will also be senior day for the Husky seniors.
Β
DAWG BITES
- Washington claimed its seventh Big Ten series of the season on Friday
- The Huskies have won 10 games this season while allowing one or less runs
- Jackson Thomas had his eighth start of the year of at least 5.0 IP with two or less runs allowed
- Jackson Hotchkiss launched his fifth home run of the season. His solo shot was also the game-winning run
- Gunnar Nichols faced 10 batters over the final three innings with three strikeouts to collect his first Husky save
- Casen Taggart is on a 28-game on base streak after hitting a single in the first inning of Friday's game
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Thomas, Jackson (5-4)
L: Aoki, Caden (5-4)
S: Nichols, Gunnar (1)
Batting:
2B: Hedges, Ethan 1 ; Lamb, Andrew 1
RBI: Grudzielanek, Bryce 1
SF: Grudzielanek, Bryce 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tejeda, Richard 1

Batting:
2B: Guerrero, AJ 1 ; Knight, Malakhi 1
HR: Hotchkiss, Jackson 1
RBI: Hotchkiss, Jackson 1 ; Kole, Trevor 1
SH: Knight, Malakhi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bower, Colton 1 ; Knight, Malakhi 1 ; Hotchkiss, Jackson 1
SB: Knight, Malakhi 1 ; Hotchkiss, Jackson 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
AJ Guerrero breaks the UW home run record π
Friday, May 23
Business trip to Omaha πΌβΎοΈ #GoHuskies #baseball #pitcher
Wednesday, May 21
Washington 3, USC 1 | Huskies Highlights
Saturday, May 17
Washington 5, USC 3 | Huskies Highlights
Friday, May 16