It was a sluggish start to their season. But by the end of the three game series against visiting St. John’s University, all was well for the Pepperdine baseball team.
On opening day before an enthusiastic crowd eager to see baseball swing into action, the Waves were shut out against St. John’s 2-0. However, Pepperdine recovered and combined for 19 runs in 8-4 and 11-1 victories last weekend to win the series.
With a threatening storm hovering over New York City, St. John’s trip out west was in severe jeopardy. Luckily, the Red Storm flew out of New York and arrived in Los Angeles the day before the season opener, just in time to enjoy the beautiful weather in Malibu before the Waves’ home opener.
Judging by the first game, you would think Pepperdine was the team stuck in the airport for several hours.
The Waves squandered multiple chances to advance runners, and a great pitching performance by senior ace Corey Miller went for naught as St. John’s pushed across single runs in the seventh and ninth innings to pull out the 2-0 victory.
Miller went eight innings allowing only three hits, no earned runs and one walk while striking out seven. Unfortunately, the Waves stranded 10 runners and did not produce a single extra base hit on the day.
“I felt a little shaky at the beginning just getting those jitters out but I went out there and tried to throw strikes,” Miller said after the game. “It didn’t fall our way but we just need to compete better the next two days.”
The next day, the Waves shook off the malaise, wasting little time in establishing their will.
A five-run first inning blew open the game as Pepperdine sprinted to an 8-4 win. The Waves six first-inning hits matched their previous total from the entire opening day loss.
Freshman Aaron Barnett had his second consecutive three-hit day and sophomore Jackson McClelland notched the win as he gave up one run on three hits in seven innings of work.
After failing to execute on multiple opportunities in Friday’s defeat, the Waves responded by tallying 13 hits including a home run from first baseman Brad Anderson and doubles by Austin Davidson and Aaron Brown.
“We just needed to get the first game jitters out of the way and get back out there and relax,” Pepperdine coach Steve Rodriguez said. “The guys took some really good swings from the first inning through the ninth and I was happy with what I saw.”
On Sunday afternoon it was more of the same for Pepperdine as its offense and pitching dominated the Red Storm from the outset.
Brown gave up one run on five hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings and also went 3-for-4 at the plate as the Waves cruised to the easy 11-1 win.
Barnett continued his tear with another three-hit game. He batted 9-for-12 in the series for a sizzling .750 batting average.
Davidson went 3-for-3 with three runs scored as Pepperdine pounded out 16 hits in the series finale.
The Waves starting pitching was sensational, allowing only two earned runs in 22 innings of work over the three games; a sparkling 0.82 earned run average.
“We have a lot of good guys in the pen this year,” Miller said. “A lot of guys can throw strikes and a lot of freshmen will contribute to the team right away. We have a great staff this year.”
Pepperdine, which finished 27-24 overall and 13-11 (fifth) in the West Coast Conference a year ago, features 19 returners and 16 newcomers on the roster. The probable four starters are returners and are expected to be the backbone of the team.
“It remains to be seen what the identity of this team is, but I really think we have a great group of veteran guys and have brought in some good young players to go with them,” Rodriguez said. “This is one of the more experienced teams I have had and if they do the right things, and play the way they are supposed to, they can be very successful.”
The Waves play host to Utah Valley this Friday through Sunday. Other upcoming contests include playing at the University of Hawaii February 26–March 1 and also at Dodger Stadium on March 9 at 10 a.m. versus Houston.