Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior OF Bryant Kraus drilled a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Pilots recorded the final out of the game at home plate in the top of the ninth to preserve a 3-2 win over the 22nd-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. With two outs in the top of the ninth and UP nursing a one-run lead, GU pinch runner Grant Kveder tried to score from first base on a double to left field, but the relay throw home from freshman SS Kris Kauppila was in time.
Portland snaps a four-game West Coast Conference losing skid to improve to 19-17 overall and to 3-8 in the league. Gonzaga drops to 25-11 and 7-4.
After receiving a masterful performance from starter A.J. Proszek, Gonzaga went to the bullpen to begin the bottom of the eighth inning. Reliever Cody Martin promptly retired the first batter he saw. Kauppila then reached on a single and advanced to second base on a ground out, meaning Portland was down to its final four outs trailing 2-0.
That’s when sophomore Riley Henricks worked the count full before drawing a huge two-out walk to give the Pilots runners on first and second with their best home run hitter coming to the plate. Kraus didn’t disappoint as he drilled the second pitch he saw deep over the left field fence to give Portland a 3-2 lead.
UP then brought in its closer Zach Varce to face the Bulldogs in the ninth. Varce, a sophomore right-hander, used an array of fast balls, split fingers and sliders to retire the first two hitters he face. He then plunked GU’s Tyson Van Winkle, who was lifted for the speedier Kveder.
Gonzaga’s clean-up hitter Ryan Wiegnad was next up, and he smacked a double to the left field corner. Defensive replacement Kramer Scott tracked down the ball quickly and got it to Kauppila in short left field as Kveder rounded third base. Kauppila turned and fired a perfect strike to catcher Rocky Gale, who applied the tag.
Portland junior reliever Ed Wakefield (2-0) worked an almost flawless inning and two thirds to pick up the win. The lefty allowed just one base runner, on a walk, and struck out two.
Wakefield took over for Portland sophomore starter Scott Burris with one out in the top of the seventh. Burris held the GU hitters at bay, but was hurt by four walks and three hit batters. The lefty allowed just four hits, while surrendering two runs.
Burris, Wakefield and Varce combined to hold Gonzaga to just five hits on the day.
Proszek looked calm and in control as he cruised on the mound for the Bulldogs. He pitched 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks. He struck out five Pilots.
Martin (3-3) was charged with all three UP runs on two hits and a walk.
Kraus had two of Portland’s six hits on the day. The home run was his team-leading eighth of the season.
Evan Wells knocked in GU’s first run with a single in the top of the second inning. GU’s other run came an inning later on a ground out to third base by Mark Castellitto.
Portland and Gonzaga next play the rubber match of their three-game series at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at Joe Etzel Field. The Bulldogs won the first game 6-3 on Friday.
