Good morning! Those in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League got to witness a battle between two of USC’s top guards from the 2023-24 season. The pair went head-to-head as pro ballers, each with something to prove ahead of the start of the season.

What else can you find in today's edition of The Three Torches?

⚾️ More Trojans selected in MLB Draft
🏖️ USC beach volleyball is well-represented in Paris
⚔️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼Trio of Pros. The 2024 MLB Draft is all wrapped up and three USC baseball players were selected. Josh Blum went to the New York Mets, Ryan Jackson to the San Diego Padres and Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek to the Toronto Blue Jays.

⚾️Blum was lights out on the mound as a closer, posting a 1.87 ERA in 27 relief appearances. His 10 saves were the ninth most in USC history and were third in the Pac-12 and 14^th in the NCAA this season.

⚾️ This past season, Jackson was tied for second on the team with a .323 batting average after starting in 58 of USC's 59 games. He drove in 39 runs and scored 38, leading the team and finishing sixth in the Pac-12 with 18 doubles this year.

⚾️ Despite missing some time this year, Martin-Grudzielanek hit .284 with 13 RBI and scored 14 runs.

🔼Well Represented. Six former USC beach volleyball players will compete in this year’s Summer Olympics. Kelly Cheng, Sarah Hughes and Andy Benesh are suiting up for Team USA while Izac Carracher (Australia), Sophie Bukovec (Canada) and Tina Graudina (Latvia) will be representing their home countries in beach volleyball. The pools are set, and these six former Trojans will hit the sand in just nine days!

🔼We’re In The Game. EA Sports College Football 25 is finally here, and the Trojans are looking good. From the sights, sounds and traditions at the LA Memorial Coliseum, to the players and action on the field, it’s safe to say the game will satisfy the hunger for USC football until September 1.

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

46 days until kickoff, Trojan Family!

The lefty placekicker, Denis Lynch, is returning to USC football for his third year as a starter. No. 46 has started in 27 games during his time as a Trojan, racking up 214 total points, and last season, was perfect in field goals from 40-53 yards.

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, August 10

⚽️ Soccer vs. Long Beach State @ TBD in Carson, CA

Friday, August 30

🏐 Volleyball vs. Pepperdine @ 6:00pm in Malibu, CA

Sunday, September 1

🏈 Football vs. LSU @ 4:30pm in Las Vegas, NV | Tickets

⚔️Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

⚔️ Have a great Wednesday, everyone!