SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.- The University of Portland baseball team labored through a 16-2 loss to the Nevada Wolf Pack in their season-opener at the Oakland A’s Tournament. Nevada (3-1) jumped on Pilot starter Trent Kristjanson for six runs in the first inning, then cruised the rest of the way. Three Pilot newcomers produced at the plate, highlighted by freshman Billy Krause’s solo home run in the sixth inning. Senior transfer Jeff Crinklaw hit two doubles, while freshman designated hitter Colton Homme drove in his first collegiate run with a double in the fifth inning.
Most of the positives favored the Wolf Pack who racked up 16 runs on 18 hits and four Pilot errors. Reigning WAC Player of the Week Ben Mummy put the Pack on the board with an RBI double in the first to get the ball rolling. Chris Gimenez followed with a two-run double, before Carlos Madrid belted a two-run homer. Nevada scored six runs on six hits in the first inning alone.
The onslaught continued into the second inning as the Wolf Pack scored two more runs on four hits, forcing Pilot head coach to go to the bullpen early, bringing in freshman Brian Cox to relieve Kristjanson. Cox provided 4.2 innings of relief for the Pilots.
Portland finally got to Nevada starter Travis Sutton in the fifth when Homme doubled in fellow freshman Jesse Rodgers. Krause followed with his blast to right field in the sixth inning, marking the Pilots final score.
Portland sophomore Joe Jones pitched two solid innings of relief, giving up one unearned runs, and not allowing a hit.
Rodgers finished 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored for Portland. Crinklaw went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles.
Gimenez had a spectacular 4-for-4 day, scoring three runs and driving in three more. Madrid went 2-for-3 with four RBI, while Mummy and Robert Marcial each tallied three hits. Sutton went seven strong innings, giving up two runs and striking out two.
The Pilots continue play at the Oakland A’s Tournament tomorrow, facing Pacific (Calif.) at 3:00 p.m. Sophomore Matthew Peters will make the start for the Pilots.
