SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Interstat) — Pepperdine visits Santa Clara on Thursday, May 14, at Stephen Schott Stadium in a pivotal West Coast Conference series opener between two teams separated by one game in the loss column.

The Waves (21-29) and the Broncos (22-28) each enter the three-game set needing a strong finish to improve their postseason positioning. Pepperdine took two of three from Portland at home over the weekend, punctuated by a 5-2 victory Sunday. Santa Clara won its series at Seattle by the same margin, completing the trip with a 4-2 win Sunday.

PEPPERDINE PLAYER TO WATCH

Right-hander Collin Valentine is expected to start for the Waves. The junior has been a consistent workhorse in recent outings, tossing at least six innings in three of his last four appearances. In his most recent start Sunday against Portland, Valentine went six innings, allowing five hits and one earned run with two strikeouts in a winning effort. He also threw 6 2/3 innings May 3 against San Francisco, surrendering one earned run while fanning three despite taking a 2-0 loss. Valentine was sharp April 26 at Seattle, throwing five scoreless innings in a 4-2 victory. His only stumble came April 19 at Loyola Marymount, where he allowed three earned runs in three innings during a 13-6 loss.

SANTA CLARA PLAYER TO WATCH

Sophomore right-hander RJ Meyn has been lights out for the Broncos lately. Meyn threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday at Seattle, allowing no hits and striking out three. Over his last four appearances spanning 13 innings, he has yielded just one earned run while striking out 13. Meyn also worked two scoreless innings May 8 against Seattle and threw 1 1/3 clean frames May 1 at Gonzaga. His lone rough patch came April 19 at Pacific, when he allowed two earned runs in two innings.

RECENT RESULTS

Pepperdine’s offense was powered Sunday by Joshua Woodworth, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Reliever Dylan Stewart earned a two-inning save with two strikeouts.

Santa Clara’s win Sunday featured a strong start from Meyn, three scoreless innings from reliever Cooper Lanz (four strikeouts) and a two-RBI game from shortstop Ben Cleary.

PROJECTION

Interstat’s game simulator projects a high-scoring affair with Pepperdine prevailing 7-6.

The teams will meet again Friday and Saturday at Schott Stadium to close out the regular-season series.