MALIBU, Calif. - The Pepperdine baseball team found themselves down early and despite valiant efforts at a late rally, could not overcome two Long Beach State home runs in the third inning.
 
The Waves (9-20, 4-2) dropped their non-conference game of the week to the Dirtbags (15-10-1, 4-5) after four hits, including two home runs, gave LBSU an early 4-0 lead. Pepperdine was able to get on the board but it would be too late, falling with a final score of 6-3.
 
BIG WAVES
 
Sophomore catcher Beckett Vine (Houston, Texas) hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, the first of his collegiate career.   
 
Senior outfielder Connor Walsh (Niceville, Fla.) was a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate before exiting the game early due to injury.
 
RECAP
 
The Dirtbags struck first, putting a man on and bringing him home from second off a double down the left field line in the top of the first inning. LBSU led 1-0 going into the bottom half of the inning.
 
Graduate infielder Brady Renck (Longmont, Colo) started the offense on the right foot with a leadoff single to right field, but the hits were not contagious as the Waves failed to respond to the Dirtbags run, trailing 0-1 by the end of the first inning.
 
LBSU extended their lead in the third inning, knocking a home run over center field and one over the left field wall, scoring a total of three runs. The Dirtbags closed out the top of the third inning with a 4-0 lead.
 
Pepperdine found a response in the bottom of the third inning with help from senior outfielder Connor Bradshaw (New Rochelle, N.Y.). Renck hit his second single of the day, advancing Vine, who had walked one batter prior, to second. Bradshaw sent a ball into deep center field, scoring Vine. The inning would end with the Waves trailing 4-1.
 
With two costly errors in the top of the fourth, LBSU would score an unearned run, re-establishing the four-run lead with a score of 5-1.
 
The Waves were not going down without a fight. For his first home run of the season, Vine rocketed a ball over the left field wall in the fifth inning, bringing Pepperdine one step closer to evening the game. Going into the sixth, it was 5-2 favoring the Dirtbags.
 
Adding one more insurance run, LBSU once again took a four-run lead with a right field double, scoring a man from third. As three outs remained for Pepperdine to find an answer, LBSU led 6-2.
 
In a final push, the Waves tried to get their offense geared up for a lengthy ninth inning. Starting off with a walk, junior infielder Jacob Rebrook (The Woodlands, Texas) took his base. Advancing on a wild pitch, Rebrook was on third with only one out. Junior infielder Cole Sheehan (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored Rebrook on a throwing error by the shortstop, bringing the Waves within three. Unfortunately, Pepperdine's offense would end at Sheehan.
 
The Waves were unable to complete the ninth-inning rally, dropping the midweek game 6-3.
 
UP NEXT
 
Pepperdine will jump back into conference play back home at Eddy D. FIeld Stadium facing off against the San Francisco Dons this weekend beginning Friday, April 5.
 
THE STANDINGS

1. Portland                      3-0                   1.000               17-8                 .680
2. San Diego                   4-2                   .667                 16-10               .615

2. Saint Mary's                4-2                   .667                 15-10               .600

2. Pepperdine                4-2                   .667                 9-20                 .310

2. Gonzaga                     4-2                   .667                 7-17                 .292
3. Santa Clara                 3-3                   .500                 15-10               .600
4. LMU                            1-5                   .167                 12-16               .428
5. Pacific                         1-5                   .167                 5-22                 .185
6. San Francisco             0-3                   .000                 15-14               .517