Box Score
BEAUMONT, Texas --- Kyle Kraus pitched 7.0 solid innings and Kris Kauppila drove in three runs as the Portland Pilots opened the 2012 season with an 11-0 shutout of Stephen F. Austin at the Lamar Classic on Friday afternoon. Kraus, a senior right-hander struck out seven and allowed just three hits.
The Pilots (1-0) scored during each of the first four innings, including a five-run third inning to hand Kraus (1-0) all the support he would need. Ben Grubb opened the scoring in the first inning by knocking in Kauppila, who had led off with a double.
Portland added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning, courtesy a two-out, two-run single by Kauppila, before the five-run outburst in the third. Jeff Melby had the big hit during the frame, a two-run double, while Kauppila and Caleb Whalen also picked up RBI’s.
Grubb drilled a solo home run in the fourth, and Sam Westendorf drove in a run in the seventh to cap the scoring for the Pilots.
The win gives Kraus, a pre-season All-American, 21 for his career, leaving him just four W’s shy of matching the all-time mark for career wins at UP. Kraus walked just two and allowed just one runner to advance past first base.
Junior right-hander J.R. Bunda followed Kraus on the mound and retired the Lumberjacks in order during the final 2.0 innings. Bunda struck out a pair.
Chase Greening (0-1) took the loss for SFA (0-1), allowing eight runs, five earned, in 3.0 innings of work. Greening was one of five pitchers used by the Lumberjacks.
Kauppila and Grubb each finished with three hits, while Melby had two. Kauppila also scored three times. Chris Hernandez had two of SFA’s three hits.
The Pilots next face tournament host Lamar at Vincent-Beck Stadium on Saturday. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. (Pacific), and the Pilots are scheduled to start freshman left-hander Travis Radke on the hill.
