MALIBU, Calif. - A late rally fell short as the Pepperdine baseball team (3-11) dropped the series finale against the Michigan Wolverines (8-6) on Saturday afternoon, 5-2.
 
"Love our ability to compete, especially after the outcome of Thursday," stated Head Coach Tyler LaTorre after the game. "Michigan is a quality program and my hope is that we can continue to build off the positives from this weekend. Collin Valentine pitched well enough to win and did a great job of limiting Michigan to one run innings. It was also great to get Dylan Stewart back out there after missing last week."
 
Like the first two games of the series, Michigan got on the board first. In the opening inning, Cade Ladehoff dribbled an infield single down the third base line, and Jack Laffitte was able to score, giving the Wolverines an early 1-0 advantage.
 
Michigan extended the lead to 2-0 in the second on a RBI single from Laffitte, advancing Greg Pace, Jr. to home plate. Laffitte picked apart the Waves, adding another RBI to his season total on a single in the fourth, which scored Pace, Jr. again and put the Wolverines ahead 3-0. Pepperdine was able to respond and crack the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fourth, as James Dell'Amico sent a sacrifice fly to deep center, bringing in Julian Nunez to pull within two. The Waves were able to cash in another run just one batter later, with Max Aude knocking in Daniel Patterson to cut the deficit to one. Finley Buckner advanced from second to third on a throwing error, which also allowed Aude to reach second base. With two out and a pair of runners in scoring position, Danny Cook struck out and ended the threat.
 
The 3-2 score was unfortunately as close as the Waves would get, as Michigan tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth. The Wolverines worked some good at-bats and put two men on before Drew Culbertson laced a two-RBI single to right field, putting Michigan back up by three. The Wolverines' bullpen escaped a huge situation in the eighth, as the Waves had the bases loaded up with one out. David Lally, Jr. was able to get the second out on a Zach Woodson popout before inducing a flyout of Dell'Amico. Lally, Jr. shut the door on Pepperdine in the ninth and earned a save as the Waves fell 5-2 in the series finale.
 
"There was a lot of good that came from this week's four games," continued LaTorre. "We are learning a ton and guys are getting opportunities to test their resiliency through adversity. We are building our identity and I am proud of our team for sticking together and we are tighter as a group than ever before."
 
Pepperdine is back in action Monday night as the Waves are scheduled for a 5:05 p.m. first pitch at CSUN in Northridge, California. Fans can purchase tickets here to make the short trek from Malibu, or can click here to watch on ESPN+. Live stats are also available. Pepperdine returns home for a four-game series against UMass Lowell next weekend.
 
GAME NOTES

• All six hits by the Waves came from a different player.
• Each squad left seven on base and had a pair of walks.
• Pepperdine pitcher Dylan Stewart returned to the hill for the first time since 2/22 at Fresno State and tossed three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out five.

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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