Saturday, May 9
Malibu, Calif.
2:00 p.m. PT
Pepperdine University
20-29, 14-9
8
vs
1
Portland
25-22, 11-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Pepperdine | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 8 | 9 | 0 |
Photo by: Morgan Davenport
Strong Bullpen, Big Second Inning Lifts' Baseball Over Portland
5/9/2026 8:50:00 PM | Baseball
MALIBU, Calif. - An unexpected turn of events didn't faze Pepperdine baseball (20-29, 14-9 WCC) as the Waves defeated the Portland Pilots (25-22, 11-12 WCC) on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, it marks the most conference wins for Pepperdine since 2019 (14), while guaranteeing a winning record in conference. The Waves also reached the 20-win benchmark for the first time since 2022.
Thanks to Gonzaga demolishing San Francisco (Gonzaga clinched at least a share of the conference), Pepperdine moved up to the number three seed as the WCC postseason tournament picture continues to unfold. The Waves are in control of their own destiny for the number two or three seed.
Just five pitches into the game, Pepperdine had to pivot quickly as starting pitcher Tommy Scavone left the game after facing one batter (walk). A nearly 20-minute delay ensued before Jack Fowler finished warming up and entered the contest. The southpaw couldn't have filled in for Scavone much better, dazzling for five shutout innings (65 pitches) while allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out five. He got out of a jam in the fifth with runners on second and third, getting Brady Bean to line out to right field.
The Waves added on in the fourth inning as Horton struck again with a scorching one-out, two-RBI double that extended the lead to 6-0. Laxa and James Dell'Amico had led off the inning with consecutive base hits, scoring on Horton's double.
Austin Plisinski relieved Fowler in the sixth frame and picked up where Fowler left off, holding the Pilots scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Danny Cook further extended Pepperdine's lead to 8-0 after a two-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth. Carter Stewart homered for Portland in the top of the ninth, but the Waves were on cruise control for most of its 8-1 win over the Pilots.
GAME NOTES
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.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine baseball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineBASE.
With the victory, it marks the most conference wins for Pepperdine since 2019 (14), while guaranteeing a winning record in conference. The Waves also reached the 20-win benchmark for the first time since 2022.
Thanks to Gonzaga demolishing San Francisco (Gonzaga clinched at least a share of the conference), Pepperdine moved up to the number three seed as the WCC postseason tournament picture continues to unfold. The Waves are in control of their own destiny for the number two or three seed.
Just five pitches into the game, Pepperdine had to pivot quickly as starting pitcher Tommy Scavone left the game after facing one batter (walk). A nearly 20-minute delay ensued before Jack Fowler finished warming up and entered the contest. The southpaw couldn't have filled in for Scavone much better, dazzling for five shutout innings (65 pitches) while allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out five. He got out of a jam in the fifth with runners on second and third, getting Brady Bean to line out to right field.
The Waves helped out Fowler along the way with a four-spot in the bottom of the second. With two outs and Kai Laxa on second base, Danny Cook walked before Nash Horton reached on a throwing error by Pilots' third baseman Cole Katayma-Stall. Horton had rolled a slow ground ball and his speed helped force the errant throw, scoring Laxa from second and Cook all the way from first. Two pitches later, Shawn Romero launched a no-doubt shot to left field, his second home run of the season. In the blink of an eye, Pepperdine led 4-0.Yeah, he knew 😤 https://t.co/TLFV9xReB6 pic.twitter.com/AagJnU6Nnk
— Pepperdine Baseball (@PepperdineBASE) May 9, 2026
The Waves added on in the fourth inning as Horton struck again with a scorching one-out, two-RBI double that extended the lead to 6-0. Laxa and James Dell'Amico had led off the inning with consecutive base hits, scoring on Horton's double.
Austin Plisinski relieved Fowler in the sixth frame and picked up where Fowler left off, holding the Pilots scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Danny Cook further extended Pepperdine's lead to 8-0 after a two-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth. Carter Stewart homered for Portland in the top of the ninth, but the Waves were on cruise control for most of its 8-1 win over the Pilots.
GAME NOTES
- Woodworth extended his hitting streak to 13 consecutive games.
- Laxa recorded his 16th multi-hit game of the campaign. In his last nine games, the second baseman is hitting .394 (13-for-33) with four multi-hit games.
- The Waves left just three on base, while Portland stranded nine.
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.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine baseball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineBASE.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fowler, Jack (2-5)
L: NEWMANN, TREY (2-6)
S: Plisinski, Austin (2)
Batting:
HR: STEWART, CARTER 1
RBI: STEWART, CARTER 1
Base Running:
RUNS: STEWART, CARTER 1
SB: AVERY, BROOKS 1 ; BEAN, BRADY 1 ; STEWART, CARTER 1
HBP: SALK, JONAS 1
Batting:
2B: Horton, Nash 1 ; Cook, Danny 1
HR: Romero, Shawn 1
RBI: Horton, Nash 2 ; Romero, Shawn 2 ; Cook, Danny 2
SH: Cook, Danny 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Laxa, Kai 2 ; Dell'Amico, James 2 ; Horton, Nash 1 ; Romero, Shawn 1 ; Woodworth, Joshua 1 ; Cook, Danny 1
Players Mentioned
INF
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1B/OF
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OF/LHP
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C/OF
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INF
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RHP
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RHP
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