PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots mustered only four hits as the San Diego Toreros won a pitcher’s duel 2-0 in a West Coast Conference baseball game Friday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. Portland starter Ari Ronick (2-3) held the Toreros to only two runs on seven hits, but gets saddled with the loss as the Pilots drop to 10-19 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

San Diego started Brian Matusz, a freshman, pitched eight solid innings by holding the Pilots scoreless on the four hits. Matusz also struck out seven and walked only two as the Toreros improve to 21-11, 3-1 in the WCC. Sophomore Matt Couch retired the Pilots in order in the ninth to pick up his second save this season.

Senior Matthew Peters and freshman Paul Crowder each got two hits, all singles, while the rest of the Pilots went hitless. Portland advanced a runner to second base only twice during the game.

Freshman Sean Nicol went 0-for-4 on the afternoon, ending his hitting streak at 10 games.

San Diego scored its first run in the fourth inning. With no outs and the bases loaded, Ronick induced a 6-4-3 double play that allowed Justin Snyder to score, making it 1-0. Then with two outs, Keoni Ruth attempted to steal home but was out at the plate as an alert Crowder made the tag on a Ronick fast ball.

The Toreros added their second run in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Jordan Abruzzo hit a sacrifice fly to center field that was deep enough to score Snyder, making it 2-0.

Both teams were also solid in the field as neither committed an error. The Pilots converted four double plays on the day.

San Diego finished with eight hits, getting three each from Kevin Hansen and Ruth.

Portland and San Diego play tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Joe Etzel Field. The final game of the three-game series is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday.