Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots took both ends of a double-header on Saturday to complete a three-game series sweep of the UC Davis Aggies at Joe Etzel Field. The Pilots defeated the Aggies 10-9 in the first game and 5-3 in the second.
The Pilots, who topped the Aggies 4-2 on Friday, have won five straight games and are now 8-4 on the season. UC Davis drops to 2-8.
Both games began in similar fashion with both teams scoring multiple runs in the first inning. In the first game, UP spotted the Aggies two runs in the top of the first frame, but the Pilots responded with five in the bottom half. Portland had three hits in the inning as UC Davis starter Andy Suiter struggled to find the zone. Senior 1B Cort Carpenter had the big hit of the inning, a towering two-run home run that easily sailed high over the center-field fence.
The 5-2 lead would stand until the top of the third when the Aggies scored four more runs off of Portland starter Matthew Lange, a senior right-hander.
Now trailing 6-5, the Pilots evened the game with a run in the fourth. Sophomore OF Craig Smith hit a solo home run that stayed just inside the left-field foul pole.
After the Pilots fell behind once again in the seventh inning, junior OF Austin Pearce knocked in a run and freshman SS Kris Kauppila drew a bases-loaded walk to give the 8-7 lead back to Portland.
The lead would be short-lived as the Aggies found the plate two more times in the top of the eighth to claim the 9-8 lead.
But as was the case all afternoon, Portland had an answer. With one out and runners on second and third, UP sophomore 2B Riley Henricks came up with a clutch two-run double to center field to give the lead back to the Pilots. Henricks was thrown out trying to advance to third, but the damage had been done as the Pilots led 10-9 heading into the final inning.
Sophomore reliever Brent Miller (1-0) got two outs in the top of the ninth and walked a batter before inducing a game-ending pop-up from Eric Johnson.
The Pilots used five pitchers during the first game. Miller worked the final 2.0 innings to pick up his first win as a Pilot.
UC Davis countered with four pitchers. Reliever Adam Bennett (1-1) allowed Portland’s two late runs and gets the loss.
UP outhit UC Davis 11-10 in game one, with Henricks leading the way with three.
The second game mirrored the first with UC Davis again touching the Pilots for multiple runs in the first inning. This time the Pilots found themselves trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the first. It was Henricks once again coming through with a clutch hit, this time with a two-run single to center that tied the game at 3-3.
A few batters later, sophomore 3B Kevin Armijo gave Portland a lead it would hold onto with an RBI single. Armijo brought home senior 1B Chase Powell with a hit to right field that made it 4-3.
After a shaky first inning, UP starter Kyle Kraus (1-1) settled down to work a solid 7.1 innings. He scattered 11 hits, while holding the Aggies scoreless the rest of the way. The freshman right-hander struck out two and didn’t walk an Aggie.
Reliever Keeler Brynteson worked a third of an inning before giving way to sophomore RHP Zach Varce. Varce allowed just one hit during the final inning and a third to pick up his third save of the year.
UC Davis starter Tom Briner (0-1) was charged with all five of Portland’s runs in 6.0 innings. Scott Chew worked the final two.
Portland’s insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning came on an error.
The Aggies finished with a 12-10 advantage in hits during the second game. Smith, Kraus and Armijo each had two hits for Portland.
The Pilots next hit the road for the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic hosted by reigning national champion Fresno State in Fresno, Calif. The Pilots are scheduled to play six games in six days in Fresno, beginning with a tilt against the Bulldogs on Monday at 6:00 p.m. Portland will also face Cal State Bakersfield and Buffalo while in Fresno.
