Michigan Splits Final Day in California at No. 24 Pepperdine

Saturday, March 7

Malibu, Calif.

10:00 AM PT

Michigan

8-6

Pepperdine

11-3

Michigan

Pepperdine

Steven Hajjar (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Splits Final Day in California at No. 24 Pepperdine

3/7/2020 9:13:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Kyler Ludlow

» Jordan Nwogu collected four hits in the two games, including his second home run of the season.
» Steven Hajjar struck out a season-high 10 batters on his way to a game one win.
» Though reaching base 11 times via walk or hit-by-pitch in game two, the Wolverines also left 11 men on base.

Site: Malibu, Calif. (Eddy D. Field Stadium)
Score: #16 Michigan 7, #24 Pepperdine 4; #24 Pepperdine 6, #16 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (8-7), Pepperdine (12-3)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 13 -- vs. Canisius (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.

MALIBU, Calif. -- The No. 16-ranked University of Michigan baseball team split a doubleheader with No. 24 Pepperdine to finish its time in California, winning, 7-4, in game one before falling, 6-1, in the nightcap (March 7) at Eddy D. Field Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Steven Hajjar (3-0) was the story of game one, tossing six innings of two-run ball, striking out a career-high 10 Waves. The southpaw allowed five hits and turned the game over to the bullpen with a five-run advantage.

After loading the bases and scoring just one run in the first inning, Michigan put up four runs in the third. The Wolverines took advantage of two hit-by-pitches and a walk, and cashed in thanks to a two-run double from freshman Jimmy Obertop and an RBI double from fellow freshman Joey Velazquez.

U-M added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, giving the Maize and Blue the insurance needed to maintain its lead late.

Pepperdine got on the board with a pair of runs in the sixth to make it 7-2, and made the game a save situation with another couple of runs in the eighth, making it 7-4. Freshman Cameron Weston emerged from the bullpen and worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the season.

The offense got a lift from the bottom-third of the order, as Obertop, Velazquez and freshman Ted Burton each had two-hit performances that included a double. Junior Jordan Nwogu also had two hits, adding two runs and an RBI to his day. Though only notching one hit, freshman Clark Elliott drove in two runs in a 1-for-3 day.

Game two saw the Michigan bats go quiet. Though managing only two hits, Michigan reached via walks or hit-by-pitches 10 times in the contest, bringing the tying run to the plate multiple times along the way. However, the big hit eluded the Maize and Blue as they ultimately fell in the series finale.

Nwogu started the second game with a bang, launching his second home run of the season beyond the wall in left-center field to give the Wolverines an early 1-0 lead.

Pepperdine struck back with two runs in the bottom of the second, and though the Wolverines attempted to rally multiple times, they got no closer. The Waves added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, and put the game out of reach with a two-spot in the ninth.

Nwogu accounted for the Wolverines' only two hits, adding a single to his credit in the third inning.

The Wolverines finished their California spring-break trip with a 4-4 record.

Michigan will return to the friendly confines of the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium for its 2020 home opener Friday (March 13) against Canisius at 4 p.m.