Konawaena Grad Yamaguchi Homers Twice for Pepperdine over USC
Former Konawaena High School baseball standout Kolten Yamaguchi achieved a collegiate career moment Tuesday night, homering twice for Pepperdine in a 9-4 victory at USC.
Yamaguchi started and hit in the eighth spot in the order. His first home run came in the sixth inning when his two-run shot broke a 3-3 tie and ignited a five-run Waves inning. He returned to the plate in the following inning and smacked a 2-1 pitch over the right-center field fence for a solo home run.
On the evening, Yamaguchi batted 2-for-5.
The home runs came on his first start of the season and were his first career home runs in a college game.
In his freshman campaign last year, Yamaguchi batted .310 in 14 games with three runs batted in. This year, he is 2-for-8 (.250) at the plate.
Yamaguchi is one of two Hawai`i born athletes playing baseball for the Waves. Mid-Pacific Institute graduate Ivan Dilda is in his freshman season under head coach Steve Rodriguez. The left-handed pitcher has pitched three innings in two relief appearances and has not allowed an earned run.
Pepperdine opens West Coast Conference play on Friday against Loyola Marymount.
Pepperdine 010 025 100 – 9 10 1
USC 020 100 010 – 4 9 1