LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Pepperdine baseball (0-1, 0-0 WCC) opened up the 2026 season at USC on Friday night, marking the first contest of a three-game series, and fell 3-1 at Dedeaux Field.
 
Tommy Scavone started on the hill for the Waves and tossed five strong innings. He surrendered just two hits, two walks, and two runs (both in the first inning), while striking out a half-dozen.
 
"Really proud of our team and how we competed against a really good USC team," stated Head Coach Tyler LaTorre after the contest. "It started on the mound with Tommy Scavone and Casey Euper. They gave us a chance to win and pitched very well."
 
The Waves offense was quiet for most of the game but had its moments. Pepperdine opened the top of the first by putting runners on first and second with nobody out. USC would get the next two outs, but the second resulted in a fielder's choice, putting Waves on the corners. The Trojans escaped the frame and came right back in the bottom of the first when Augie Lopez roped a two-run double down the right field line.
 
Pepperdine would remain locked into a 2-0 deficit going into the sixth inning when the Waves had another couple of big moments. Finley Buckner was up against a two-strike count and got a fastball to hit, sending it plenty far but it sliced foul. A couple of pitches later, he smacked another fastball high to right-center field, but it died at the warning track.
 
The Trojans would tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh after Kevin Takeuchi bunt-singled, stole second base, and advanced to third on a throwing error by Pepperdine catcher Aidan Camberg. He was sent home on a Dean Carpentier sacrifice fly to right field, making it 3-0 USC.
 
The Waves wouldn't go down without a fight. In the top of the eighth, Pepperdine rallied by getting a base hit from Daniel Patterson, a hit by pitch by Buckner, and a RBI single from Danny Cook, bringing the deficit within two. That's as close as the Waves would get, however, falling by a final score of 3-1.
 
"We played well on defense, which is a staple of our program, and we fought hard at the plate against a quality Friday night starter," continued LaTorre. "We battled until the end and showed a resiliency that will continue to move this program forward."
 
Pepperdine will send left-hander Collin Valentine to the mound in game two of the series tomorrow, which is on Valentine's Day. USC is slated to have right-hander Grant Govel on the bump. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT from Dedeaux Field and can be seen on B1G+ or followed via live stats.
 
GAME NOTES

• The Waves outhit USC 5-3.
• Casey Euper dazzled out of the bullpen for Pepperdine, giving up one unearned run in three innings of work.
• All eight hits between the two squads came from different players.
• The Waves left nine on base, while the Trojans left four on base.

 
ABOUT PEPPERDINE BASEBALL
Pepperdine baseball has one of the richest traditions and success stories among mid-major baseball programs in the country. The Waves won the NCAA National Championship in 1992 and have made 28 NCAA Tournament appearances in total. Located in scenic Malibu, California, Eddy D. Field Stadium boasts one of the most remarkable views in college baseball and has seen 35 former Waves reach the MLB while seeing 41 All-American selections.
 
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