LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Pepperdine baseball (0-2, 0-0 WCC) had a challenging night in game two of a three-game series at USC, falling to the Trojans 11-0 Saturday evening.
 
The contest began similarly to Friday's Opening Night excursion, with USC taking a 1-0 lead in the opening frame on a Kevin Takeuchi RBI single. Waves starting pitcher Collin Valentine pitched well through the first four innings, allowing two runs on just three hits.

"Today was a tough one because the game was closer than the final score showed," said Head Coach Tyler LaTorre. "Valentine pitched really well and he gave our team a shot early to keep it close. Our hitters just didn't make adjustments quickly enough and the USC pitchers capitalized. Two games doesn't define our season, nor does it show the hard work that our players have put in. I'm excited to see how we respond tomorrow. We have a resilient group of young men and I have no doubt that we will get back up off the mat quickly."
 
In the top of the third, Daniel Patterson was at the dish for Pepperdine when he scalded a fastball that had plenty of home run distance (386 feet), but it sailed mere feet foul, keeping USC's shutout intact.
 
The Trojans would break the game wide open in the bottom half of the fifth, beginning with a Dean Carpentier home run. Adrian Lopez scored on a wild pitch, and Takeuchi knocked in two on a single to left field.
 
USC continued to have its way in the seventh, starting with Takeuchi again on a RBI double. Augie Lopez followed suit with a two-RBI double before Andrew Lamb cashed in a two-run home run, ending the contest after seven innings by a final score of 11-0 in favor of the Trojans.
 
The series finale is tomorrow with a scheduled 12:00pm PT first pitch that can be seen on B1G+. Pepperdine will send Dylan Stewart to the bump for his 2026 debut, while USC will counter with Andrew Johnson. 
 
GAME NOTES

• Valentine did not walk any of the 20 batters he faced.
• Finley Buckner, Johnny Backus, and Julian Nunez all worked a walk to reach base for the Waves.
• Pepperdine was no-hit, 11-0. 

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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