Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. --- Down to their final out, the Portland Pilots scored two unearned runs to rally past Arkansas State for a 5-4 nonconference victory Sunday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field. Junior Chris Dennis picked up his second win of the season with 2.2 innings of solid relief while senior C.J. Cullen continues his torrid start from the plate, tacking on two hits and two RBI.

Trailing 4-2 entering the ninth inning, the Pilots batted around to pull out the victory. Down one with two outs, sophomore Beau Fraser reached on an error to give the Pilots extra life as senior Austin Pearce crossed the plate to tie the game. Then, with Kyle Haskin at the plate, sophomore Kris Kauppila rushed home on a wild pitch to give the Pilots their first lead of the afternoon.

This is the first time since 1985 that the Pilots have opened the season with an 8-2 mark. Portland also improves to 3-2 when tied or trailing entering the ninth inning. The loss drops the Red Wolves to 7-3 on the season.

Both teams benefited from quality starts from their pitchers. Junior Scotty Burris recovered from a shaky first two innings before exiting after the sixth. Jacob Lee pitched 7.2 stellar innings, scattering seven hits and two walks while fanning five. Drew Benes, son of former major leaguer Andy Benes, ended the eighth by retiring Kevin Armijo with the potential tying run on third base.

The Pilots continue their road trip with a single, non-conference game tomorrow against the Memphis Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for noon local time at FedExPark. Portland then returns to Oregon for the Oregon State Tournament in Corvallis next weekend.