Box Score

OREM, Utah --- Portland sophomore C Beau Fraser hit a grand slam and starter Kyle Kraus picks up the complete-game win as the Pilots defeated the Utah Valley Wolverines 10-4 in a non-conference baseball game at Brent Brown Park on Friday night. It’s the first complete game by a UP hurler this season.

 

The Pilots snap a four-game losing skid and improve to 11-6 on the season. The Wolverines drop to 5-7.

 

Fraser’s grand slam came during Portland’s seven-run first inning. After UP loaded the bases with a single and two hit batters, Fraser drilled his second home run in as many days over the left-center fence, giving Portland early 4-0 lead with no outs.

 

After a walk to freshman DH Brian Frattali, junior 2B Riley Henricks greeted new UVU pitcher Justin Campbell with a two-run blast to straight-away center field. Then after a couple of outs, junior OF Craig Smith capped Portland’s seven-run first with an RBI single.

 

The seven runs were more than enough for Kraus, a sophomore right-hander who improves to 3-0 on the season. He allowed two runs in the bottom of the first, but he would settle down and allow just two more runs the rest of the way. He struck out three and didn’t walk a batter, while allowing 12 hits.

 

Utah Valley starter Sam Armstrong (1-2) didn’t record an out and he takes the loss. He was charged with five runs and was followed by three relievers.

 

Portland added a run in the top of the third and two more in the fifth. Junior Tyler Thompson knocked in a run with a single in the third, while senior infielder C.J. Cullen picked up an RBI in the fifth. Smith scored Portland’s final run on an error in the seventh to make it 10-2.

 

The Wolverines scored one run during each the fifth and the seventh innings.

 

Fraser finished 2-for-4 and has knocked in seven runs during the past two games. Sophomore OF Garrett Queen had three hits on Friday and he was one of eight Pilots to register a hit.

 

The Pilots and Wolverines, who won the opening game of the series yesterday, are set to play the rubber match at 12:00 p.m. (Pacific) on Saturday.