MALIBU, Calif. - The Pepperdine baseball team threw seven different pitchers in the Saturday afternoon series conclusion.
 
The Waves (9-30, 5-10) were down early and despite the beginnings of a comeback, the Gaels' (19-19, 5-7) defense shut Pepperdine down in the final innings as Pepperdine fell 9-7.
 
BIG WAVES
 
Senior infielder Julian Nunez (Encinitas, Calif.) was .500 at the plate today with a team-leading four RBIs, including a two-run home run in the third inning.
 
Senior outfielder Nick Upstill (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored two on a double in the eighth inning to give Pepperdine life.
 
Redshirt sophomore outfielder Joe Cardinale (Salinas, Calif.) scored twice today, reaching base three times with two walks and being hit by a pitch.
 
RECAP
 
WIth a no-run first inning, the Gaels struck first with three in the second on three hits. The Waves responded in the bottom of the third and Nunez' fifth home run of the year would bring him and Cardinale around the bases, bringing Pepperdine within one to trail 3-2 a third the way through the game.
 
Responding immediately, Saint Mary's put up another three runs in the fourth on four hits, all reaching home on a home run by Ian Armstrong over the left centerfield wall. At the end of four, the Gaels led 6-2.
 
Six runs scored in the sixth were split evenly between the two squads. Three by the Gaels on 2 hits and a Pepperdine error was matched in the bottom half of the inning by two Waves hits, aided by three Saint Mary errors. At the end of six, the Gaels still held the advantage 9-5.
 
Bringing the home team back to life, Upstill threaded a double down the left field line in the eighth inning, scoring freshman outfielder Joey Damelio (San Mateo, Calif.) and Cardinale to make it a 9-7 ball game.
 
Despite bases being loaded in the ninth, Pepperdine could not get a rally going with two outs and the Waves could not get another baserunner across home plate, losing 7-9.
 
NEXT
 
Continuing the homestand at Eddy D. Field Stadium, Pepperdine is home Monday afternoon, hosting the roadrunners of California State, Bakersfield. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) and live stats will be available at www.pepperdinewaves.com.