FRESNO, Calif. - Pepperdine baseball took an early lead but ultimately fell to the Fresno State Bulldogs 10-6 Saturday afternoon in game two of the four-game weekend series.
 
"Frustrating loss, but we continue to step in the right direction," said Head Coach Tyler LaTorre after the game. "I loved the way Collin Valentine competed and pitched five quality innings. He deserved to get a win. Our at bats continue to improve as we are putting more pressure on opposing pitchers and their defense. The next step is to do it more consistently up and down the batting order."
 
The Waves took that aforementioned early advantage in the top of the second when Joe Cardinale reached on a fielding error by Bulldogs shortstop Brady Hewitt. Kai Laxa cleaned up the bottom of the order, delivering a RBI single to shallow center, and it was 2-0 Pepperdine.
 
That lead would extend in the top of the sixth as the Waves continued to pressure Fresno State pitching. With two on, Daniel Patterson sprayed a base hit to left-center, bringing in Max Aude to make it 3-0 Waves.
 
The game would begin to unravel in the bottom half of the frame when Fresno State put a four-spot on Pepperdine. With the bases loaded with Bulldogs, Matt Queen came in from the bullpen and surrendered a 2-RBI single to Michael Boyd, which was followed by a Mikey Pickett 2-RBI single. Suddenly, Fresno State had a 4-3 lead.
 
The Bulldogs added four more in the bottom of the seventh and looked like they would run away with the contest, but the Waves mounted a serious comeback in the eighth. Laxa continued to have a good day, scalding a fastball to left field for a RBI double as Cardinale scored all the way from first base. Zach Woodson ensued by blasting the Waves' first home run of 2026 over the right field wall, and in the blink of an eye it was just a two-run deficit at 8-6.
 
Fresno State was able to tack on two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth and didn't look back as the Waves fell by a final of 10-6.
 
Collin Valentine made his second start of the season for Pepperdine and was magnificent, recording 78 pitches (49 strikes) in five innings of work. He walked three but struck out one and was able to get the Bulldogs to pound the ball into the dirt, racking up nine groundouts, including one double play (four flyouts).
 
"This is what I love about college baseball," LaTorre continued. "The series is tied 1-1 going into Sunday. I'm looking forward to seeing how we respond. The team that is more focused on the task and comes with the most team first energy is going to come out on top tomorrow. I know we will be ready to do it."
 
Game three of the series is tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 pm PT. Fans can watch on the Mountain West Network, available online at this link, or by downloading the Mountain West Network app on Roku, Apple TV, iOS, Google Play, and Amazon Fire TV. The contest will also be available in audio format through the Varsity Network app, free to download on mobile devices.
 
GAME NOTES

• The Waves had seven different players record at least one hit.
• Three of the 10 hits were doubles.
• Pepperdine left 10 on base, while Fresno State left eight 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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