Dedeaux Download: Andy Stankiewicz on where USC baseball stands heading into final month

The Dedeaux Download Podcast returns with Shotgun Spratling and podcast co-host Kasey Kazliner breaking down USC baseball's 3-1 week that featured a series win over Gonzaga and a dominant midweek win over Long Beach State.Shotgun and Kasey break down all the action, looking at the positives of the Trojans improving to 26-14 with an 11-7 mark in Big Ten play and a fourth-place spot in the standings behind only two ranked teams and Iowa. They discuss the play of Adrian Lopez powering the offense all weekend against the Zags as well as Ethan Hedges seeming to get back on track after a rough spell. Shotgun and Kasey also look at how the Trojans were able to bounce back after dropping the opener against Gonzaga with some uncharacteristically sloppy play thanks to the bullpen stepping up throughout the week.The podcasters also look at three negatives, including Kevin Takeuchi reinjuring his left shoulder during Tuesday's win at Long Beach and the RPI hit that one poor game can have as the Trojans start looking toward the postseason.After a break, USC head coach Andy Stankiewicz then joins the show to talk about how the Big Ten schedule, including the back-and-forth travel, has treated his team and how his players have handled and adjusted to the differences and challenges. He also discusses how the Trojans have tried to deal with a spate of injuries with multiple pitchers lost for the season as well as Takeuchi's shoulder issues. Stankiewicz then takes the listener through some strategic thought processes of how he tries to use late-inning opportunities in blowout games as well as how he handles his star players being in a funk, especially later in the season. The Trojan head man chats about Hedges, Lopez, Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, Caden Hunter, Andrew Johnson, Jack Basseer and others.Shotgun and Kasey close out the show taking a look at where the Trojans stand after winning another series and taking a peek at where the Trojans could wind up in the postseason. The podcast then previews USC's upcoming week of action with the Trojans heading to Minneapolis to take on an injury-riddled Minnesota team that continues to battle despite 11 significant injuries, including five of the season-ending variety.Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts!Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of USC Trojans football, basketball, baseball and recruiting.