Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. --- Sophomore C/DH Beau Fraser continued to demonstrate his offensive prowess with a home run and four RBI as the Portland Pilots rallied for an 8-6 West Coast Conference victory over the Pepperdine Waves Friday night at Eddy D. Field Stadium. The Pilots (25-9, 9-1 WCC) have now matched last year’s win total as junior Chris Dennis set the school’s new single-season saves record with his tenth by pitching two innings against the Waves (13-20, 3-3 WCC).

Trailing 5-4 in the top of the eighth inning, the Pilots needed the top of the line-up to rally. Sophomore SS Kris Kauppila and junior 2B Riley Henricks both reached on errors and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from senior 1B C.J. Cullen. With one out, the reigning WCC Player of the Week then drove the first pitch down the third base line for a two run single off Waves’ starter Matt Bywater (3-5).

Clinging to a one run lead in the eighth, Head Coach Chris Sperry elected to relieve senior Ed Wakefield (2-1), who had struck out the only batter he faced to end the seventh. Sperry called on Dennis, who pitched a solid eighth inning but a shaky ninth to pick up his tenth save of the year.

After Portland tacked on two insurance runs with a home run from junior 3B Matt Mardesich and a run-scoring single from Cullen in the top of the ninth inning, Dennis came back out looking to shut the door.

After the first two batters of the ninth were retired, the Waves suddenly found themselves in trouble before Dennis hit two batters and allowed a single up the middle to load the bases. An infield single kept the bases loaded and brought the Waves within two. Dennis, however, was able to dance out of the jam by inducing a game-ending groundout to Kauppila.

Dennis’ 10 saves give him the school record for single season saves, passing John Nichols’ mark of nine in 1987. The junior righty is also now just shy of Nichol’s career mark of 11.

Pepperdine fell behind early 1-0 but quickly responded when Ryan Van Amburg tied the game with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the frame off junior Zach Varce. Varce struck out eight of the first ten batters of the game. The flame-throwing righty did not factor into the decision despite striking out 10. He finished 6.0 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on ten hits.

The Pilots have now won five games that they were trailing or tied after the seventh inning on the season. Fraser has now tallied four, four RBI games this year and has knocked in 15 runners over the last six games. 

Portland looks to continue their five game winning streak tomorrow when sophomore Kyle Kraus (7-0, 3.90) toes the rubber against fellow sophomore Cole Cook (2-4, 3.25 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm.