After combining for 40 runs in the first two games of the series, Hawaii and Pepperdine ran into opposing pitchers who were on their game.

Waves sophomore A.J. Puckett ended up getting the better of UH junior L.J. Brewster by tossing a three-hit shutout in Pepperdine’s 2-0 victory on Saturday afternoon at Eddy D. Field Stadium in Malibu, Calif.

Puckett struck out a career-high 10 and retired the final 10 UH batters for his first complete game for the Waves (6-5), who took a 2-1 series lead.

Brewster (2-1), who made just his third career start, allowed one earned run on five hits in seven innings with two walks and a career-high eight strikeouts to take the tough loss for the Rainbow Warriors (5-7).

"Disappointing that we couldn’t take advantage of a great pitching performance," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "We couldn’t figure out Puckett and they were able to scratch a couple (of runs) across."

J.J. Kitaoka’s error at third in the fourth inning allowed Manny Jefferson to hit a two-out RBI single to put Pepperdine ahead 1-0.

Brewster allowed a one-out RBI single to Brad Anderson in the fifth before retiring the final eight he faced in his longest outing yet.

The converted third baseman has made the switch look easy so far. He has yet to give up more than two runs in any start and lowered his ERA to 1.86.

He threw 71 of his 99 pitches for strikes.

"I think L.J. was at his best and it was fun to watch," Trapasso said. "He was able to locate all of his pitches and competed and gave us a chance to win. He definitely deserved a better fate."

Puckett had allowed 14 hits and five walks and had an ERA of 5.27 innings in 13 2/3 innings coming in.

UH’s only serious threat came in the fourth inning when Kaeo Aliviado got UH’s first hit with a two-out single. UH went hit-and-run on a 3-1 count to Eric Ramirez, who singled through a hole on the left side of the infield when Pepperdine’s shortstop went to cover second. Aliviado went to third on the play.

Jordan Richartz, who homered twice in Thursday’s 15-8 win, slammed his bat in disgust after striking out to end the inning.

Kitaoka singled with two outs in the fifth and Aliviado drew a two-out walk in the sixth for UH’s only other baserunners.

"We’ve had a couple of days struggling offensively where before that we were swinging it really well," Trapasso said. "We’ve got to find that groove we were in."

Andrew Jones worked a six-pitch eighth inning for Hawaii.

Rainbow junior Kyle Von Ruden (1-0, 2.38 ERA) will start the final game of the series on Sunday. First pitch is at 11 a.m.

E—Kitaoka. DP—Hawaii. LOB—Hawaii 4; Pepperdine 6. 2B—Fornaci. HBP—Goldenetz. SB—Moyer.

HBP—by Brewster (Goldenetz). Umpires—(Plate): Brian Marine. (First): Billy Haze. (Third): Greg Charles. T—1:54. A—293.