Pepperdine University Athletics

CAREER: Appeared in 48 games and started 22 through five seasons … Has a 4.87 career ERA in 138.2 innings with 107 strikeouts.
 
PEPPERDINE 2023: Started in six out of 12 games during his fifth season with the Waves … Threw 30.1 innings and struck out 15 … Had a season-high of six strikeouts against UC Santa Barbara (3/7) …Earned CSC Academic All-District honors …  Received WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “silver” honors … A Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete. 
 
PEPPERDINE 2022: Appeared in seven games and started two as a senior … Threw 16.0 innings and struck out 11 … Had a 1-1 record … Tossed a season-high 5.0 scoreless innings vs. Villanova (2/18) … Had a season-high four strikeouts vs. Wichita State (2/26) … Received WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “bronze” honors … A Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete.
 
PEPPERDINE 2021: Started six of his 11 games as a junior ... Threw 29.1 innings and struck out 23 ... Earned two saves ... Went a season-high 6.0 innings at UC Davis (3/14) in his only win ... Struck out five in 5.1 innings vs. Saint Mary’s (3/28).
 
PEPPERDINE 2020: Appeared in four games as a sophomore during the COVID-19 shortened season ... Had a 2-1 record ... Over 18.1 innings pitched, had a 1.27 WHIP ... Struck out 21 batters, good for second on the team ... Opponents hit .232 against him ... Threw six innings against Akron (2/21), giving up just three hits and striking out a season-high nine batters.
 
PEPPERDINE 2019: Had a great first season in Malibu, earning WCC All-Freshman team honors ... Posted a team-leading 2.42 ERA over 44.2 innings ... Struck out 37 batters, walking 19 ... Made 14 appearances and put together a 4-4 record ... A Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete.
 
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Pompano Beach (Fla.) High School in 2018 ... Played four years of varsity baseball ... In his career, had a .392 average, 100 hits, 69 RBI and eight home runs ... As a pitcher, had a 21-5 record, a 1.23 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and 221 strikeouts ... As a senior, was named 2018 5A-14 Player of the Year, and was named to both the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald All-County first teams ... As a senior, hit .400 with three home runs, 27 RBI and 11 stolen bases along with a 5-1 record, 1.51 ERA and 64 strikeouts ... Also named to All-County first teams as a sophomore and junior ... Helped teams win 2016 and 2017 District 5A-14 Championships.
 
CLUB: Played for Elite Squad Baseball from 2015-17.
 
PERSONAL: Majoring in advertising ... Born in Boca Raton, Fla. ... Son of Phil Kniskern and Karen Kniskern ... Younger brother to Philip ... Can do a standing backflip ... Chose Pepperdine because “of the great education and location, as well as the unity and competitiveness of the baseball program.”
 
FAVORITES: Favorites include Jose Fernandez (pro baseball player), San Diego Padres (pro baseball team), Moby Dick (book), Step Brothers (movie), The Office (TV show), Kodak Black (musical artist), fish tacos (food) and volleyball (sport besides baseball).