SAN DIEGO—San Diego could not overcome an early onslaught from Pepperdine and dropped the series finale, 10-5, on Sunday afternoon at Fowler Park.
The Toreros (14-6, 1-2 WCC) jumped out to an early lead after
Shane McGuire hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Waves (8-7, 2-1 WCC) quickly answered, scoring in each of the next four innings, including five runs in the third and three in the fourth to take a 10-3 lead.
USD gained momentum in the bottom of the fifth after
Paul Kunst singled and
Cody Jefferis doubled to move both runners into scoring position.
Ripken Reyes singled down the first base line to score Kunst and McGuire hit a sacrifice fly to right field bringing in Jefferis to make it 10-5 Pepperdine.
However, USD's offense stalled down the stretch, stranding a base runner in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings. The Toreros finished the day with nine hits and five men left on base.
Josh Hendrickson (3-1, 6.41) got the start for USD, going 2.2 innings and giving up six runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. Five Toreros came out of the bullpen in relief of Hendrickson.
Cade Brown threw four solid innings, giving up one run on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Travis Kuhn and
Jake Miller each collected two strikeouts and the Toreros retired final 12 Waves in order but the damage had already been done.
With the win, the Waves took the WCC opening series 2-1 over USD.
The Toreros remain home next week for the second half of their eight game homestand. USD will face CSU Fullerton on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before its weekend series with San Francisco beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
