Seniors Matthew Peters and Gustaf Little hit homers for the Pilots

DALLAS, Texas -- The Portland Pilots scored six runs in the final three innings, but Dallas Baptist built a large early lead and cruised to a 23-8 win in the four-game series finale Tuesday at Patriot Field. Senior second baseman Gustaf Little hit a seventh inning grand slam for the Pilots, but the Patriots racked up 22 hits while scoring seven runs in both the third and sixth frames.

The Pilots (1-3) started quickly with a two-run blast from senior right fielder Matthew Peters in the top of the first and senior right hander Joe Jones breezed through the first two innings without letting a runner reach base.

Problems occured in the third as the first six Patriots batters of the inning reach based on five singles and a hit batter. Sophomore lefty Ari Ronick came out of the bullpen to relieve Jones and surrendered a two-run double to Drew Holder, before an RBI groundout by Damian Gomez and a run scoring single from Matt Tucker. Ronick recorded the final two outs and stopped the onslaught at seven runs.

Portland would not add another run until the seventh inning, while DBU (3-1) added three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and another seven in the sixth highlighted by Holder’s grand slam. The Patriots right fielder finished 4 of 6 with four runs scored and seven RBI in the game.

Little’s first home run of the season provided Portland’s four-run seventh and made it a 19-6 deficit. The Pilots would add a run in both the eighth and ninth, while DBU tacked on its final four in the eighth.

The Pilots used six different pitchers in the game, none lasting more that two innings. Jones (0-1) took the loss and was credited with six earned runs on five hits in two innings. Sophomore lefty Chris Siegfried was the only UP pitcher to not allow a run, tossing a scoreless seventh.

Patriots starter Jordan Meaker (1-0) went 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out four to earn the win.

Peters and junior shortstop Jesse Rodgers each collected two hits for the Pilots. Freshman designated hitter Chase Powell and junior first baseman James Allan extended their hitting streaks to four games with a single each.

Portland hit seven home runs during its four-game opening series. It took the Pilots 16 games to hit seven homers a year ago.

Portland will next be in action at the River City Classic hosted by Sacramento State on Thursday, Feb. 27. The Pilots will play Washington State at 2 p.m. and then face the host Hornets on Friday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. Portland will wrap up the trip against North Dakota State on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m.