Pepperdine University’s baseball team lost to the USC Trojans 8-5 in a high-scoring game on Sunday in Los Angeles. The defeat leaves Pepperdine with an 0-3 record to start the season.
James Dell’Amico led Pepperdine’s offense, collecting three hits and scoring once. Julian Nunez and Nash Horton also contributed with two hits each, while Horton drove in two runs and scored once.
“I was really happy with the fight we showed up with today,” said Head Coach Tyler LaTorre after the game. “Stewart pitched well, he just threw too many pitches in that third inning.”
“It was good to see the bats come alive and show what we are capable of,” continued LaTorre. “However, we gave up too many free passes early to overcome the deficit. Anytime you are down and come back like that, to get the tying run to the plate and make the other team use their closer for the second time in a weekend is a good sign.”
USC took control in the third inning when Isaac Cadena doubled home Dean Carpentier and Adrian Lopez added a sacrifice fly. The Trojans extended their lead with four more runs in the fourth inning, including contributions from Abbrie Covarrubias, Cadena, Kevin Takeuchi, and another RBI single by Covarrubias in the sixth.
Trailing 7-0 entering the seventh inning, Pepperdine began a rally. Horton drove in a run with an infield single before Kai Laxa added another RBI hit. Finley Buckner reached on an error that brought home two more runs, cutting USC’s lead to 7-4.
In the eighth inning, Horton delivered again for Pepperdine with an RBI single that made it 7-5. However, USC’s Jack Basseer hit a solo home run later that inning to secure an 8-5 victory for the Trojans.
“Although the weekend wasn’t what we wanted it to be, we got a lot of freshmen their first taste of Division one baseball,” commented LaTorre. “Those opportunities, this early in the season, will pay off as they continue to develop. We are excited to get back to work this week and host UCSB before we head to Fresno to take on Fresno State.”
The Waves outhit USC in two out of three games during the series but were unable to match USC’s base running as they did not steal any bases compared to four by USC. Both teams left seven runners stranded on base.
Pepperdine’s baseball program has won one NCAA National Championship (1992) and appeared in 28 NCAA Tournaments overall. The team plays its home games at Eddy D. Field Stadium in Malibu and has produced numerous MLB players and All-Americans over its history.
For ticket information regarding upcoming home events visit here.
Fans can follow updates about Pepperdine baseball on social media @PepperdineBASE.
