The sophomore starting pitcher duo of Matt Bywater and Scott Alexander combined to strike out 21 Cougars as the No.-12 Waves swept Washington State in two games 3-1 and 5-2 Tuesday and Wednesday at Eddy D. Field Stadium. With the victories the Waves improved their conference-best record to 13-5.
Although Bywater fanned a career-high 12 batters in eight innings of work perhaps his most impressive stat Tuesday was that he started the game by throwing 25 consecutive strikes – he went 2 2/3 innings before missing the strike zone. Washington State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth but Pepperdine jumped ahead with two runs in the fifth. Freshman center fielder Brian Humphries singled in the tying run. Cougars right fielder Matt Fanelli then dropped a routine fly ball off the bat of junior catcher Trent Diedrich allowing junior shortstop Bryce Mendonca to score from third for a 2-1 Waves lead.
In the bottom of the seventh Pepperdine freshman designated hitter Tyler Brubaker added insurance with his first collegiate home run a solo shot to left center.
“We’re not [always] getting hits when we should said junior third baseman Colin Rooney. But later in the game we’re figuring out how to get a couple runs to secure the win.
As it turned out this was all the Waves would need for victory as senior closer Nick Gaudi relieved Bywater in the ninth and shut the Cougars down in order for his fourth save of the season.
On Wednesday Alexander looked to replicate Bywater’s outing but struggled with his control early in the game. In the first inning after putting runners on first and second with a hit-by-pitch and a walk Alexander surrendered a double to left fielder Jared Prince and the Cougars led 1-0.
But Pepperdine scored three runs in the bottom half of the first to erase the deficit. Freshman left fielder Ryan Van Amberg tied the score with a sac fly to deep center. Sophomore right fielder Bobby Cozine then roped a double down the third base line to drive in another run and a wild pitch by Cougars starter Paris Shewey scored Rooney from third.
Alexander continued to have control problems through the next two innings but he eventually hit his stride and began mowing down Cougars left and right. He struck out the side in the top of the fourth and allowed only two batters to reach base in his final three innings of work. He left the game after sixth having surrendered just one run on two hits while striking out nine.
“If there’s an effectively wild stat right now he’s kind of dancing around it said Head Coach Steve Rodriguez of Alexander. He found a way for us to get a chance to win. He got himself in trouble early … but after that he really competed.”
Alexander said he and his teammates contribute to the team’s pitching success this season by keeping each other motivated.
“The pitching staff is always trying to set the bar. … There’s no selfishness. The staff’s really close and all the starters always try to push each other to get better every day Alexander said.
The Waves scored their fourth run in the fifth on an RBI single by Rooney to left center field.
Washington State threatened to jump back into the game in the top of the seventh by loading the bases with one out. Freshman reliever Tyler Hess then hit catcher Alex Berg to bring in a run, but the combined efforts of juniors Jonathan Harmston and Bryce Uhrig allowed the Waves to escape the inning with minimal damage.
In the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter David Harris busted out of a 3-for-36 slump with his second home run of the season, pushing the Pepperdine lead to 5-2.
He’s a guy who’s scuffling a little bit but his batting practices of late have been really good Rodriguez said. So I said you know what it’s a pretty good opportunity to come in right now and lay a good swing on something – and he did.”
Gaudi was brought in to pitch the ninth inning and despite allowing three runners to reach base he was able to close out the game and notch his fifth save.
The Waves’ homestand continues on Friday when Pepperdine opens a four-game series against Chicago State at Eddy D. Field Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.