PORTLAND PILOTS AT PEPPERDINE WAVES

MALIBU, Calif. (Interstat) — Coming off a narrow series-opening loss, the Portland Pilots look to even the score against the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday evening at Eddy D. Field Stadium.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. with a forecast of 76 degrees and cloudy skies.

Portland (25-21) fell 5-3 to the Waves on Friday afternoon, a result that interrupted a stretch of solid form. The Pilots have won six of their last 10 games, including a 9-6 victory over San Diego on April 30 in which the offense erupted for 15 hits. However, Portland has struggled to sustain momentum on the road, where they have dropped three of their last four away from home.

Pepperdine (19-29) snapped a five-game losing streak with Friday’s win. The Waves had lost 10 of their previous 11 contests, including a 13-3 drubbing at UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday. Pepperdine’s pitching staff has shown flashes of effectiveness (Interstat) — holding San Francisco scoreless on May 2 in a 4-0 win (Interstat) — but has also yielded 10 or more runs in four of their last 12 games.

Players to watch

Portland reliever Morgan Codron has been a key weapon out of the bullpen. The right-hander has logged scoreless appearances in three of his last six outings, including a dominant 3-inning, 0-hit, 0-run performance against Oregon State on May 5. Codron also worked 3 scoreless innings at Washington State on April 13, though he was tagged for 3 earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in that same game.

Pepperdine’s Jackson Pace has been effective in limited recent action. The right-hander threw 2 scoreless innings against UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday, allowing no hits and striking out one. He also pitched a scoreless inning April 21 against Cal Poly. Pace has allowed just one earned run over his last 4.2 innings of work.

Outlook

Friday’s game marked the first meeting of the season between the two West Coast Conference foes. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 victory for Pepperdine on Saturday.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon before Portland travels to face Oregon State on Tuesday. Pepperdine opens a three-game set at Santa Clara on Thursday.