Saint Mary’s Baseball Team Falls to Pepperdine Waves in 7-1 Defeat

MORAGA, Calif. – The Saint Mary’s baseball team faced a tough challenge on Sunday afternoon, concluding their series against the Pepperdine Waves with a disappointing 7-1 loss at Luis Guisto Field at Br. Ronald Gallagher Stadium. This defeat marked the Gaels’ second loss in three games of the series.

Game Summary

In this matchup, senior transfer Jake Hilton took the mound for his fifth start but recorded his first loss of the season. Having pitched just 3.1 innings, Hilton struggled against the Waves’ offense, allowing four runs, which included a crucial two-run home run by Daniel Patterson in the third inning.

The Gaels’ offense was muted throughout the game, managing only eight hits. However, an RBI single from sophomore switch hitter Micah Nicholson provided the team’s only run in the ninth inning, preventing a shutout.

Pepperdine’s Strong Performance

Pepperdine improved to 2-1 in the West Coast Conference (WCC) with this victory while Saint Mary’s record fell to 12-11, and they are 1-2 in conference play. This win also marked the first time since 2021 that Pepperdine has secured consecutive victories over Saint Mary’s.

How the Game Unfolded

Hilton started strong, retiring six of his first seven batters. However, the tides turned in the third inning with Pepperdine exploiting their offensive momentum. After back-to-back hits, a sacrifice fly put the Waves on the board, followed by Patterson’s two-run homer that extended their lead to 3-0. Hilton returned for the fourth inning, where a solo shot by the first batter he faced made it 4-0, prompting a change to Cam Staton.

Staton’s performance was commendable, as he managed to contain the Waves and maintain the four-run deficit into the later innings.

Late Game Efforts

In a spirited attempt for a comeback, the Gaels rallied in the ninth with two consecutive singles from pinch hitters Ian Josephson and Micah Nicholson. Josephson’s single to center field was particularly notable as it advanced to second base without a throw, setting the stage for Nicholson’s base hit that finally got the Gaels on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, Cody Kashimoto‘s attempt to extend his 15-game hitting streak came to an end as he flew out to left field, concluding the game.

Pitching Highlights

Junior right-hander Luis Martin Romero had a solid outing in relief, throwing 2.1 innings without allowing a run, marking him as a standout in the game with a team-leading 2.03 ERA for the season. Freshman right-hander Jake Nobles finished the ninth inning, conceding only one hit.

Key Game Stats

• Eight players contributed to the total of eight hits for Saint Mary’s.
• Romero’s ERA now stands at an impressive 2.03.
• Staton made his first relief appearance, closing the game without giving up an earned run.
• Nicholson’s pinch-hit single brought his season batting average to .400.
• Josephson notched his sixth career hit with a pinch-hit single.
• Josephson’s average increased to .375 this season.
• Dario Freschi also recorded a pinch-hit single earlier, raising his average to .458.

Looking Forward

Saint Mary’s will next face UC Santa Barbara in a two-game series on Tuesday at 4 p.m. PT. Following that, they will embark on their first road conference series of the season against the Portland Pilots beginning on Friday. Fans can purchase tickets for Saint Mary’s home games at smcgaels.com/tickets and catch all the action live on ESPN+.

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