MALIBU, Calif. - A slow start couldn't be overcome on Thursday afternoon for the Pepperdine baseball team, as the Waves (2-10) fell by a final of 17-4 to Michigan (7-5) to open the three-game series against the Wolverines.
 
"We continue to be snake-bitten by free bases," said Head Coach Tyler LaTorre. "That was the story of the game today. It got out of hand in the 4th inning, but if we allow teams to have free bases like today we will have an uphill battle. Michigan is a great program and took total advantage of our mistakes today. I was pleased with Jack Fowler's first collegiate start. He just threw too many pitches to get through his three innings."
 
Fowler was relatively sharp in his first-ever collegiate start, giving up just one run (earned) in three innings of work. He walked three but struck out five and had the Wolverines consistently swinging underneath his fastball and changeup, inducing three flyouts to just one groundout. Several long at-bats by Michigan, particularly by Noah Miller in the third inning (12 pitches, six straight foul balls), pushed Fowler's pitch count up to 69, 20 more than he's thrown in any appearance he's made all year.
 
The fourth inning defined the contest, as Michigan piled up a nine-spot on the Waves. It began with a single from Jonathan Kim before he swiped second base. After a Greg Pace, Jr. groundout, Brayden Jefferis was hit by a pitch, which was ensued by a Jack Laffitte walk, extending Michigan's lead to 2-0. Carson Luna dumped a single into shallow center field, which scored a pair, and it was 4-0 Wolverines after that. Winston Peterson came in to relieve Jackson Pace to attempt to slow the blue and maize, but Michigan continued to pounce. The Wolverines eventually added a three-run homer from Evan Haeger, and talked on another bases-loaded walk from Laffitte, bringing the score to 10-0 before the Waves could get back on offense in the fourth.
 
Pepperdine did respond in the bottom half, getting enough traffic on base before Joe Cardinale worked the count for a bases-loaded walk to get the Waves on the board. Kai Laxa also brought in a run in the same situation a couple of batters later to cut the deficit to 10-2.
 
Michigan added four more runs in the sixth on a RBI double by Jefferis before he scored on a passed ball. Cooper Mullens tacked on a RBI double and Cade Ladehoff reached on a fielder's choice that squibbled through the infield enough to score Mullens on the throw home, extending the Wolverines' lead back to 15-2. Ultimately, the deficit was too large for the Waves to overcome in the 17-4 loss.
 
"On the offensive side, we've made some adjustments and we were a lot better today," continued LaTorre. "We only struck out five times and walked eight, which in the long run of the season will pay off. We need to improve on the lazy fly balls and cash in with runners in scoring position. We need to have a short memory and get back after it tomorrow with Tommy Scavone on the mound."
 
Pepperdine is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. first pitch tomorrow against Michigan in game two of the series. Fans can purchase tickets here or watch on ESPN+.
 
GAME NOTES

• Pepperdine left 11 on base, while the Wolverines left 10 on.
• James Dell'Amico and Daniel Patterson each had two hits for the Waves.

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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