Final Stats

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. - Three pitchers combined for the shutout as the Pepperdine baseball team scored a 3-0 win over Pacific on Saturday afternoon in Malibu. It was the second straight shutout for the Waves, who clinched a series win over the Tigers.

After clinching a berth in the West Coast Conference Tournament yesterday, Pepperdine moves to 28-21 overall and 16-10 WCC with the win. Pacific falls to 21-30, 11-15 WCC. The Waves are currently in the fourth spot in the WCC standings, but could move as high as second if Saint Mary's and/or BYU loses tonight and Pepperdine gets a win tomorrow.

The Waves got on the board in the first inning on a wild pitch that brought home Matthew Kanfer (Playa Del Rey, Calif./L.A.C.E.S.). Pepperdine loaded the bases in both the first and second innings, but double plays by the Tigers ended each threat.

Ben Rodriguez (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS) put the Waves up 2-0 in the fourth inning with a solo-homer to left field. The towering shot was his eighth home run of the year. Aaron Barnett (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley HS) made it a 3-0 contest in the fifth with an RBI double to right. That was all the scoring the Waves would need.

Ryan Wilson (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) got the start for the Waves, tossing three scoreless innings before giving way to Easton Lucas (Simi Valley, Calif./Grace Brethren HS). Lucas would toss the next 4.0 innings, giving up just four hits and no runs. He struck out three on the day and walked none.

Kiko Garcia (Chula Vista, Calif./St. Augustine HS) entered the game in the eighth and got the next six outs for his third save of the year. Garcia allowed just one hit and struck out two batters. It was Pepperdine's eighth shutout of the year and second in a row against Pacific. After losing their first two WCC series, the Waves have now won their last seven of the regular season.

Barnett led the Waves at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Rodriguez is third on the team in home runs after his eighth long ball. Both teams had six hits on the day. Danny Mayer and Lucas Halstead each had two-hit days for the visitors.

The Waves and Tigers will close their series tomorrow at 1 p.m. With tomorrow being senior day, Pepperdine seniors Brad Anderson, Evan Dunn and Chris Fornaci will be honored prior to first pitch. That game can be seen live on TheW.tv.