Jefferson Powers Waves to Dramatic Extra-Inning Win

MALIBU, Calif. – Manny Jefferson played hero for the Waves on Sunday, driving in four runs including a game-tying two-run homer in the 10th to lead the Pepperdine baseball team to a 5-4 win over the Portland Pilots.

Jefferson tied the game with one out in the 10th inning, setting up a game-winning bases-loaded walk four batters later. Pepperdine takes the West Coast Conference series, 2-1, courtesy of the victory. The Waves are now 20-18 overall, 10-8 WCC, while Portland falls to 15-24, 2-13 WCC.

Chase Lambert (Malibu, Calif./Malibu HS) followed Jefferson’s shot to left with a double down the
line and then Jeremy Goldenetz (Corona, Calif./Corona Santiago HS) drew a walk. An error on the Pilots set up Chris Fornaci (Walnut Creek, Calif./De La Salle HS) for the walk-off walk.

Portland took the lead in the top of the 10th inning, scoring one run on a Pepperdine error and then a second on a sacrifice fly.

Jefferson (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood HS) went 2-for-5 at the plate, hitting his team-leading 10th home run of the year. Lambert and Aaron Barnett (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley HS) each had three-hit days as well.

The Waves jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run single by Jefferson. The Pepperdine shortstop brought home a pair of Wave runners after a Pilot error advanced runners to second and third with no outs.

Portland came back with a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second to make it a one-run game. The Pilots would tie the game in the fourth inning with an RBI groundout.

Portland threatened in the top of the seventh inning, with runners on the corners. The Pilots attempted a safety squeeze, but the attempt was foiled as Kiko Garcia (Chula Vista, Calif./St. Augustine HS) snagged the bunt and flipped it to Barnett to tag the runner out at home. The Waves got runners on first and second in both the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn’t push a run across to avoid the extra innings.

Easton Lucas (Simi Valley, Calif./Grace Brethren HS) got the start on the mound for the Waves, throwing 4.0 strong innings in which he gave up three hits and two runs. Garcia threw the next 3.0 scoreless innings and Ryan Wilson (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) got the Waves to extras with 2.0 scoreless innings of his own. Max Green (Rolling Hills Estate, Calif./Palos Verdes Peninsula HS) picked up the win as the pitcher of record after finishing the 10th.

Garcia struck out four batters and walked none, while Lucas and Wilson each had three strikeouts.
The Waves have an off week during finals and then return to action on May 3 at No. 13 UC Santa Barbara.