Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- After the Portland Pilots had rallied from an early four-run deficit to take the lead, the Gonzaga Bulldogs scored three unanswered runs to post a 7-5 comeback win in a West Coast Conference baseball game played on Saturday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. Kevin Armijo led the way for the Pilots with three hits, while Bo Cornish knocked in a pair of runs.

 

Both of Cornish’s RBI’s came in the bottom of the third inning when he capped a two-out UP (17-27, 6-8 WCC) rally with a two-run single to left field that tied the score at 4-4. An inning later, Matt Mardesich came through with a clutch two-out single that brought home Armijo from second base and gave the Pilots the 5-4 lead. Armijo had doubled a few batters earlier.

 

Portland’s lead stood until the top of the sixth inning when the Bulldogs (28-14-1, 11-3 WCC) took advantage of a Portland miscue to tie the score at 5-5. Gonzaga then pieced together a double and a couple of singles in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs and reclaiming the lead at 7-5.

 

Pitcher Mark Phillips (2-3) and closer Cody Martin would shut down the Pilots from there, giving GU its second straight win over Portland. Phillips came out of the bullpen to silence the Portland bats after the Pilots had chased starter Tyler Olson after 3.2 innings. Phillips tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, yielded just three hits, struck out four and didn’t walk a batter.

 

Martin pitched a perfect inning and a third, while striking out one. It’s his second consecutive save and his tenth on the year.

 

Portland’s Owen Jones (4-6) takes the loss after getting charged with seven runs in 6.2 innings. Only three of the runs were earned as the Pilots committed four costly errors on the day. Jones allowed 10 hits, didn’t issue a walk and K’d two before giving way to the bullpen.

 

The Pilots dug themselves in an early hole after three errors in the first inning helped the Bulldogs score four runs. UP got one back in the bottom of the first inning before tying the score with a three-run third.

 

GU, which was led by Cameron Edman’s two hits and three RBI’s, out-hit UP 12-8.

 

The Pilots and Bulldogs will conclude the three-game series with the finale on Sunday, which is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Joe Etzel Field.