Pepperdine Baseball Surges in Conference Play

Waves' Pitching Dominance and Coaching Expertise Fuel Midseason Turnaround

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:27am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the Pepperdine Waves' and their opponents' uniforms. The scene conveys the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of the sport.Pepperdine Baseball's midseason surge is fueled by a dominant pitching staff and the emergence of key offensive contributors, showcasing the program's ability to overcome early-season adversity.Malibu Today

Pepperdine Baseball has bounced back after a tough non-conference schedule, defeating the University of San Diego Toreros in their conference home opener and taking one game on the road from the Gonzaga University Bulldogs. The Waves' pitching staff has been dominant, led by graduate right-hander Tommy Scavone and senior right-hander Dylan Stewart. The team has also benefited from the addition of new pitching coach Rick Hubbard and the return of Waves Hall of Famer Steve Rodriguez as a special assistant to the head coach. Offensively, junior infielder Kai Laxa and graduate infielder Daniel Patterson have been leading the charge, with several talented freshmen also making an impact.

Why it matters

Pepperdine's strong conference performance positions them as legitimate postseason contenders, showcasing the program's ability to overcome early-season adversity and the coaching staff's expertise in developing both new and veteran players. The team's success highlights the value of strategic coaching hires and the integration of experienced alumni, which can provide valuable guidance and mentorship to the current squad.

The details

Pepperdine's pitching staff has been the driving force behind their conference turnaround, led by graduate right-hander Tommy Scavone, who was named WCC Pitcher of the Week for his performance against San Diego. Senior right-hander Dylan Stewart has also been dominant, tossing five scoreless innings in the final game against USD. Sophomore left-hander Casey Euper and graduate right-hander and closer Lucien Wechsberg have also contributed to the Waves' pitching dominance. On the offensive side, junior infielder Kai Laxa and graduate infielder Daniel Patterson have been leading the charge, with several talented freshmen, including infielders James Dell'Amico and Joshua Woodworth, and outfielder Nash Horton, also making an impact.

  • Pepperdine defeated the University of San Diego Toreros in their conference home opener on March 27-29.
  • Pepperdine took one game on the road from the Gonzaga University Bulldogs on April 2-4.
  • On March 30, graduate right-hander Tommy Scavone received WCC Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance against San Diego.
  • Pepperdine will host the University of Pacific Tigers on April 10-12 in Malibu.

The players

Tommy Scavone

A graduate right-handed pitcher who is leading the Waves' pitching staff with a 2-1 record, a 3.12 ERA, and a 0.99 WHIP during conference play.

Dylan Stewart

A senior right-handed pitcher who has tossed five scoreless innings in the final game against USD and is boasting a 0.90 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 10 innings during conference play.

Kai Laxa

A junior infielder who is leading the Waves' offense during conference play, posting a .394 batting average.

Daniel Patterson

A graduate infielder who has been a staple in the Waves' lineup, batting .382 in conference play and leading the team in home runs with eight.

Rick Hubbard

The new pitching coach brought in by Head Coach Tyler LaTorre to help turn around the Waves' pitching staff.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm trying to get ahead of everybody and play off my fastball. Being able to throw first-pitch strikes is the key to doing that.”

— Tommy Scavone, Graduate Right-Handed Pitcher

“Most importantly, it was Dylan who went out there and took it to San Diego today. It was really special to watch, and he did such a great job of giving us an opportunity to get back in the game and take the lead. I'm really proud of him.”

— Tyler LaTorre, Head Coach

“First and foremost, I want to take the time to thank God. I think relying on what works for me most often has been the key for me.”

— Kai Laxa, Junior Infielder

What’s next

The Waves will host the University of Pacific Tigers on April 10-12 in Malibu as they look to continue their conference success and solidify their position as legitimate postseason contenders.

The takeaway

Pepperdine Baseball's midseason turnaround showcases the value of strategic coaching hires and the integration of experienced alumni, which can provide valuable guidance and mentorship to the current squad. The team's dominant pitching and the emergence of key offensive contributors have positioned the Waves as a force to be reckoned with in the West Coast Conference.