Huskies Baseball Bounces Back Big: 11-2 Blowout Shows They're Ready to Turn It Around
After getting absolutely steamrolled by No. 13 USC over the weekend, the Washington Huskies baseball team needed a statement win. They got one on Tuesday afternoon at Pepperdine, and it was the kind of performance that reminds you why you stick with this team even when things get tough. The Huskies dominated the Waves 11-2 on the road, jumping out early and never letting up. Sometimes baseball is about capitalizing on your opponent's mistakes, and Pepperdine handed Washington five errors on a silver platter. That's the kind of gift you take and run with.
Early Lead, Total Control
The script was flipped from last weekend's USC series in a hurry. In the first inning alone, a wild pitch from Pepperdine starter Pierson Howe scored both right fielder Braeden Terry and designated hitter Colton Bower. That early cushion was huge, because it meant coach Eddie Smith's squad could breathe easy and execute instead of playing desperate catch-up baseball. From that moment forward, the Huskies never trailed. The Waves never stood a chance.
Bats Coming Alive When It Counts
This is where it gets fun. Colton Bower went 3-for-5 with a run scored, and left fielder Jackson Hotchkiss is absolutely heating up after returning from missing the early part of the season. The sophomore went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, his seventh in just 12 games since getting back in the lineup. That's a huge deal, because he only hit six his entire freshman season. Third baseman Blake Wilson also made an impact, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. When your lineup is clicking like that, good things happen.
Pitching Gets the Job Done
Tommy Brandenberg earned the win, working 5 shutout innings and scattering 5 hits with just a walk and 5 strikeouts. Bryce Johnson came out of the pen and cruised through the next 3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits with 2 walks and a strikeout. Pepperdine went through nine different pitchers, which tells you everything you need to know about how this game got away from them in a hurry.
With the win, Washington improved to 10-14 on the season. Now it's time to head back home and get ready for Northwestern, with the first game of that three-game series starting Friday at 7:00 p.m. PT. This team needed this momentum swing. Let's see if they can build on it.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.