MALIBU, Calif. - In the first home game since April 21, the Pepperdine baseball team stranded 11 in the loss to Northwestern State. 
 
The Waves (11-34, 6-12) got around the bases too late, scoring in the ninth after the Demons (29-18, 17-10) put up five for a final score of 5-1 favoring the visiting team.
 
BIG WAVES
 
Redshirt sophomore outfielder Joe Cardinale (Salinas, Calif.) had two hits in addition to the Waves' sole RBI on the day.
 
Freshman outfielder Joey Damelio (San Mateo, Calif.) scored in the ninth, taking advantage of Demon errors on the infield.
 
RECAP
 
Without a midweek game, today was the first game for the Waves since Sunday, April 27 in San Francisco. A slow start on offense allowed the Demons of Northwestern State to jump in front, scoring two on three hits in the first inning.
 
The Demons tacked two more on in the fourth before Pepperdine got the first hit of the afternoon off the bat of Cook in the bottom of the fourth inning. Two would be stranded in the inning as the Waves struggled to get on the board. After four, Northwestern State led 4-0.
 
Six left on throughout the following four innings, while Northwestern State tacked one more on in the seventh left Pepperdine trailing 5-0 throughout eight.
 
Two hits in the ninth, in addition to Demon errors on the infield, aided the Waves in avoiding the shutout with Damelio scoring on a Cardinale single. Unable to ride the momentum, the Waves stranded one to close the game out.
 
Friday finished with Pepperdine falling 5-1 as they look to bounce back in the next two games this weekend.
 
NEXT
 
Pepperdine continues the series against Northwestern State with game two tomorrow slated for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) and live stats for every game will be available at www.pepperdinewaves.com.