Box Score
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- Portland starter Kyle Kraus pitched a complete game and Matt Mardesich drove in four runs as the Portland Pilots defeated the Loyola Marymount Lions 8-2 Friday afternoon at Page Stadium. Kraus' gem came in the first game of a three game series between the West Coast Conference opponents.
Kraus (5-5) benefited from a 2-run home run by Mardesich in the first inning and never relinquished the lead. Portland (20-28, 7-9 WCC) also received a solo shot from first baseman Brian Frattali en route to scoring 8 runs off the Lions. Loyola Marymount (26-23, 7-9 WCC) managed only single runs in the 4th and 9th innings as Kraus struck out 3, walked one, and allowed 8 hits in the complete game effort.
For the Lions, Jason Wheeler (6-4) allowed 6 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 walk, striking out 4 in 7 innings. Third baseman Alex Guthrie and left fielder Joe Vierra drove in the only runs for LMU. Trailing 2-0 entering the 4th, the Lions threatened with two singles to lead off the inning, but managed only one run on a sacrifice fly.
The victory lifted the Pilots into a tie for 4th with the Lions in the West Coast Conference Standings.
Portland turns to redshirt-junior RHP Owen Jones (4-6, 5.25 ERA) for Saturday's affair while LMU counters with RHP Alex Gillingham (7-3, 2.42 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
