SAN JOSE, Calif. -- San Jose State scored four runs in the first inning and held on for a 6-2 victory over Portland in a non-conference baseball game at Municipal Stadium Wednesday night. The Spartans (15-9) pounded out five hits and four runs in the first inning to complete a two-game series sweep over the Pilots (3-13).

SJSU earned a 5-4 victory on Tuesday by using two early runs to gain an advantage. Portland would outhit the Spartans 10-8 in that loss. Wednesday was the same formula as SJSU chased UP starter Josh Roberts after one inning with four runs. The Pilots would collect an 8-7 advantage in hits, but could not overcome the early deficit. Roberts took the loss and is now 1-3 on the season.

Portland sophomore southpaw Ari Ronick came on in the second inning with the Pilots trailing 4-1 with a runner on first and nobody out. Ronick would toss 4.1 perfect innings, striking out five to give UP a chance, but no runs materialized.

SJSU tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth as UP reliever Joe Jones came on for Ronick. Aaron Loewenthal was hit by a pitch and Chris Williammee walked before John Shaffer singled in the first run. Junior right hander Sean Sargent came on and allowed a fielder’s choice RBI before getting out of the jam.

Spartan starter Matt Winck (2-0) nearly went the distance, tossing 8.2 innings and allowing just two earned runs. Branden Dewing came on to get the final out in the ninth as the Pilots scored when senior Gustaf Little led off with a pinch hit single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Cory Wiltshire. Dewing got Andrew Wrisley to fly out to end the game and record his first save of the year.

UP had the early lead as freshman second baseman Sean Nicol extended his hitting streak to eight games with a leadoff double and later scored on a groundout by sophomore Danny Meier.

The Spartans quickly answered with a four spot in the bottom of the frame on five hits, a hit by pitch and a wild pitch. Shaffer, who finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in, collected an RBI-single in the inning.

Wiltshire was the lone Pilot with two hits in the game, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore righty Brian Yoakum pitched a scoreless eighth inning for UP. Yoakum has not allowed a run in 5.2 innings of work out of the bullpen this season.

Portland continues its tretcherous road stretch at Utah for a three-game series with the Utes beginning on Friday, March 17 at 1 p.m. Both Saturday and Sunday games are scheduled for noon starts.