Box Score
MALIBU, Calif. --- Caleb Whalen drove in three runs and Cody Lenahan knocked in the game-winning RBI in the top of the 10th inning as the Pilots defeated the Pepperdine Waves 4-3 in the finale of a three-game West Coast Conference series at Eddy D. Field Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Pilots had previously dropped two one-run decisions to the Waves on Saturday.
But Sunday it was Portland’s (20-10, 7-5 WCC) turn to provide the late offense. Tied at 3-3 in the top of the 10th, the Pilots were able to get runners on the corners with one out. Pepperdine (22-14, 5-4 WCC) then came up with a clutch out at the plate on an attempted squeeze play by the Pilots.
Lenahan then walked to the plate with runners on first and second with two outs, and the freshman came through with a base hit to center field that scored Turner Gill with the go-ahead run.
Pepperdine was still in danger a batter later when Brian Frattali drew a walk to load the bases. That’s when the Waves went to their closer Michael Swanner, who was able to get out of the jam with an inning-ending strikeout.
The bottom of the 10th belonged to Portland’s closer Owen Jones, who got Pepperdine’s lead-off hitter to fly out to center field. Joe Sever followed with a single to right field before the Pilots were able to turn a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and seal the win.
It’s Jones’ 12th save this season, which is just two shy of matching Portland’s all-time single season mark of 14.
Whalen had a big day at the plate for the Pilots, going 2-for-4 and accounting for three of Portland’s four runs. His first RBI came in the top of the third inning when his single to center scored Bo Cornish and gave UP the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, Whalen left the yard with a two-run home run to left field, making it a 3-0 Portland lead. Whalen, a freshman outfielder, now has a team-high five homers this season.
Pepperdine finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth with two runs. The Waves still trailed 3-2 in the eighth when Sever scored the game-tying run. The run was unearned as Sever took advantage of a Portland throwing error.
Portland reliever Kody Watts (2-0) earns his second win of the year after tossing 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. The freshman right-hander fanned three, allowed two hits and surrendered just the one unearned run.
Portland starter Chris Johnson, who was charged with two runs, worked into the fourth inning before lefty Keeler Brynteson took over on the mound. Brynteson worked 2.0 scoreless innings.
Pepperdine reliever Eric Karch (2-2) takes the loss for the Waves. Karch was able to register just two outs in the 10th before giving way to Swanner. Starter Corey Miller allowed three runs in 6.0 innings, while reliever Mat Snider threw 3.0 scoreless innings.
Both teams had 10 hits and an error.
The Pilots next set their sights on their two in-state rivals as Portland is schedule to play the Oregon State Beavers on Monday and the Oregon Ducks on Wednesday. Portland will host Oregon State at Joe Etzel Field at 3 p.m., while Wednesday’s game against the Ducks will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Volcanoes Stadium in Salem.