PORTLAND, Ore. --- Senior 3B Matt Mardesich drove in three runs and the Portland Pilots scored three times to tie the score in the eighth and ninth innings but the Brigham Young Cougars escaped a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 12th inning to hand the Pilots a 7-6 defeat Monday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field.

 

Trailing 7-5, junior catcher Ben Grubb roped a single to left field to bring the Pilots (6-3) within one run as Mardesich came home to score. Junior shortstop Kris Kauppila, who snapped out of his early season slump with two doubles, drew a two-out walk to load the bases but Kolton Mahoney (2-0) bore down to record the final out and seal the victory.

 

Ryan Bernal led off the 12th inning with his fourth hit of the game for the Cougars (7-4) off of Brent Miller (1-1). After advancing to second on a walk, Bernal raced home to score well before the throw on a single by Kelton Caldwell.

 

Portland, which never led in the contest, used late-inning magic to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth and again in the ninth. Down 4-2 in the eighth, junior OF Kramer Scott drew a leadoff walk and quickly advanced to third on senior 2B Riley Henricks’ double to right field. After a sacrifice fly from junior catcher Beau Fraser brought the Pilots within one, Mardesich lined a base hit behind the drawn-in infield to tie the game.

 

After BYU took the lead in the top of the ninth, Grubb started the Pilots’ ninth inning rally with a double down the left field line. A few batters later, Henricks came through with a two-out single on a 3-2 pitch to keep the Pilots alive.

 

Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision. Matthew Neil tossed 7.1 innings of eight hit ball, allowing four runs while striking out seven. Justin Shutt then relieved Neil, throwing 1.2 innings before Mahoney came in to pitch the final 3.0 innings.

 

Junior Kyle Kraus lasted 6.0 innings for the Pilots, allowing four runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Redshirt-junior Keeler Brynteson tossed two innings of perfect baseball with three strikeouts while senior Chris Dennis, in relief of fellow senior Scott Burris, threw 3.0 innings, allowing just one walk with two strikeouts.

 

Five Pilots recorded at least two hits but BYU outhit the Pilots 14-13. Portland stranded 13 runners compared to the Cougars’ 11. Neither team homered but BYU first baseman Austin Hall swiped three bases.

 

Portland and BYU conclude the two game series Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Joe Etzel Field. The Cougars are scheduled to throw Desmond Paulson while the Pilots have not yet named a starter.