PORTLAND, Ore.- The Portland Pilots split a West Coast Conference doubleheader with the Saint Mary’s Gaels, dropping the first game 10-7, but rebounding with a 9-8 victory in 10 innings to win the three-game series. Sophomore outfielder Justin Pierce belted a walk-off homer to left-center field in the bottom of the tenth inning to clinch the series win. Pierce finished 5-for-9 in the double-dip with three runs scored. Freshman right-hander Sean Sargent (3-6), who tossed three innings in the early game, pitched two innings for the win in game two.

In game one, Saint Mary’s jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Pilots scored four straight runs, capped by Travis Vetters’ RBI-single in the fifth inning. The Gaels responded with back-to-back three-run innings in the sixth and seventh. Mike Sansoe hit a two-run double in the sixth and Stefan Foushee’s two-run single in the following inning made it an 8-4 edge for the Gaels.

The Pilots crossed two runs in the bottom of the seventh on another Vetters RBI-single and Joe Watson’s sacrifice fly, scoring Nik Kosach. Saint Mary’s scored two more in the eighth and closer Michael Nisco gave up just one run in the final two innings to earn his fourth save of the season for SMC. Parker Mangum (2-1) was the winning pitcher despite allowing three runs in 2.2 innings.

Portland southpaw starter Jared Adams was forced to leave the game in the first inning because of blister on his left hand. Trent Kristjanson (0-5) took the loss in relief, going 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits while striking out two. Sargent threw the final three frames and was spotted for three unearned runs and struck out three.

Vetters finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs to lead the Pilot offensive. Gustaf Little had two hits an RBI and scored three runs out of the leadoff spot. Sansoe finished a perfect 4-of-4 at the plate in the game with two RBIs for SMC. Delaney Gallagher went 4-for-5, driving in a pair of runs and scoring two more.

Game two was a seesaw affair as neither squad could hold a lead before Pierce ended the marathon with his third homer of the season.

“We were due to win a series at home,” said Pilot head coach Chris Sperry. “Both teams have been struggling, so it’s nice to see we were able to come out on top. Hopefully this will give us some momentum for the last part of the season.”

The Pilots struck first in the late game, spotting starter Kyle Corra a 4-0 lead after two innings. Kosach hit a solo bomb into the right field trees in the first and Portland benefited from three straight Gaels’ errors in the second for three more runs.

Saint Mary’s put a six-spot on the board in the third inning as Gallagher continued his hot-hitting with a two-run double. Two more RBI-singles, a throwing error and a passed ball accounted for the other four runs.

Three consecutive singles from Joe Watson, Pierce and Colton Homme sparked a Pilot rally in the sixth inning, leading to three runs and a 7-6 edge. Little came up big with a two-out RBI-single putting the Pilots ahead.

Sam Carter tied the game with a solo blast in the seventh, but Homme put the Pilots back on top with another RBI-single in the bottom of the inning. Sargent was brought in to close the game in the ninth, but surrendered a leadoff homer to Preston Young before retiring the side. After a scoreless Pilots ninth, Sargent sat down Saint Mary’s in order in the tenth setting up Pierce’s walk-off heroics.

After missing a curveball from Gaels reliever Justin Sloan on the first pitch, Pierce got all of a high fastball and deposited it over the fence in left-center for the win.

“I went up to the plate looking for something to drive,” said Pierce. “He left it up in the zone and I knew as soon as I made contact that it was gone.”

“Good things happen to Justin when he swings the stick,” noted Sperry. “He’s playing well for us right now and I’m happy for him and the team.”

Portland freshman reliever Given Kutz was effective in six innings of relief, striking out seven batters while allowing just one run.

The Pilots return to the field on Tues., May 4 as they host the Oregon State Beavers at 3:00 p.m.