Box Score FRESNO, Calif. - Pepperdine baseball (1-6) fell behind early to the Fresno State Bulldogs (4-3) and couldn't catch up in an 11-3 loss on Monday.
 
"Tough finish to a series," said Head Coach Tyler LaTorre following the loss. "However, there is a lot of learning that can come from road weekends against a quality opponent like Fresno State. Starting the season with back to back road series against USC and Fresno State, who were both tournament teams last year, will pay huge dividends as the season progresses. The experiences gained from these opening two weekends for this team in building their identity and belief in each other was crucial to their development. Although the scoreboard didn't show it, there were a lot of great things this weekend and a lot of moments that we will learn from and adjust this upcoming week in practice."
 
The Bulldogs got an early jump on the Waves thanks to a grand slam by Zach Plasschaert in the first inning. Fresno State kept their foot on the gas in the second inning when Jett Ruby sprayed a two-RBI single to center field, and it was 6-0 Bulldogs in the blink of an eye heading to the third inning.
 
Daniel Patterson got Pepperdine on the board in the fifth with a two-RBI single, pulling the Waves to within a touchdown at 8-2. That's as close as the navy and orange would get, however. The Bulldogs tacked on another run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and although Pepperdine answered in the top of the eighth, Fresno State added two more in the bottom of the frame. Patterson had two of the Waves' four hits as Pepperdine fell 11-3.
 
"I'm proud of how our players continue to show up and play hard for each other," continued LaTorre. "We took some blows this past weekend, but we continued to stay positive and we will continue to improve. I know our players are excited to play at home this Friday at Eddy D Field Stadium in front of our home crowd. We will put in a great week of prep work, make some adjustments, and be back out playing high-level Waves Baseball this weekend against a really good Yale team."
 
Fans can purchase tickets for the Friday home game and the rest of the upcoming weekend series against Yale by clicking this link. For those who cannot make it to historic Eddy. D. Field Stadium, all three games against the Bulldogs will be streamed live on ESPN+, and live stats are available here.
 
GAME NOTES

• Pepperdine committed three errors, while the Bulldogs committed one.
• Fresno State left nine on base, while the Waves stranded eight.
• Freshman utility player Joshua Woodworth made his collegiate starting pitching debut. He had appeared as a reliever earlier this season but had not made a start prior to today.

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.
 
TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit here.
 
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