Pepperdine Baseball Takes on UCSB in A Competitive Match
Pepperdine’s baseball team faced UC Santa Barbara in a tough game, ending with a score of 13-3. Head Coach Tyler LaTorre felt the game was closer than the score showed. “I’m proud of how we fought at the plate,” he said. Yet, nine walks and four hit batters hurt their chances against a strong UCSB team.
In the second inning, UCSB took control, scoring four runs against starting pitcher Jack Fowler. The pivotal moment came when Liam Barrett hit a ground ball that rolled just fair, clearing the bases. Corey Nunez added a single, making the score 4-0.
Pepperdine pushed back in the third inning. Joe Cardinale walked and later scored on a double from Joshua Woodworth, putting Pepperdine on the board. In the fourth, Kai Laxa’s single led to another run, pulling the Waves within two at 4-2.
Both teams exchanged runs afterward. UCSB added a run in the fifth, but Dell’Amico responded in the sixth with a groundout that scored Trey Dunn, narrowing the gap to 5-3.
However, UCSB took control in the seventh with a home run from Rowan Kelly. In the eighth, the game shifted dramatically as UCSB scored seven runs, including a grand slam from William Vasser. This pushed the game out of reach for the Waves, leading to their loss.
LaTorre remains hopeful. “We’ll take that early momentum into our next series against Portland,” he added, emphasizing the importance of finishing strong.
Key Player Performances:
- Kai Laxa shined at the plate, hitting 3-for-4 and leading the team with a .306 batting average.
- Joshua Woodworth is on a hitting streak, tying with Daniel Patterson for the longest this season at 11 games.
- Patterson has now reached base in 20 consecutive games.
As the Waves gear up for their final home series against the Portland Pilots, they’re in a tight race for a West Coast Conference playoff spot.
Pepperdine baseball has a rich history, including a national championship in 1992. The team continues to thrive, showcasing talent in the scenic backdrop of Malibu.
For more details, you can check out more about their program here.
