Box Score
SEATTLE, Wash. --- Portland’s Matt McCallister had a solid outing on the hill, Nick Armenta drove in two runs and Owen Jones saved his fourth straight as the Pilots defeated the Washington Huskies 4-1 in a non-conference baseball game played on a snowy Tuesday evening at Husky Ballpark. The game was delayed by snow for about 30 minutes in the middle of the seventh inning.
It’s the fifth straight win for the Pilots, who improve to 11-2 on the season. It’s just the second 11-2 start to a season in program history, which was also accomplished back in 1958. That Portland team holds the all-time mark by winning 16 of its first 18 games.
Portland did most of its damage against the Huskies in the top of the second inning when the Pilots scored three runs off of Washington (10-6) starter Mac Acker. With one out and the bases loaded, sophomore Nick Armenta came through with a two-run single to left field to hand the Pilots the early 2-0 advantage.
The bases were loaded once again a few batters later when freshman Cody Lenahan hit a sacrifice fly to center field, easily allowing freshman Michael Lucarelli to score from third, making it a 3-0 game. UW reliever Steven Swift would then finally end the inning on a fielder’s choice.
The three-run cushion was more than enough for Portland starter Chris Johnson and McCallister, who entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.
McCallister allowed just one run in 5.0 innings of work, while surrendering just four hits and striking out three. The win allows the junior right-hander to stay perfect on the year with a 3-0 record.
Jones, UP’s senior closer and the reigning WCC Pitcher of the Week, made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Washington to get runners on second and third with two outs. But the right-hander would settle down to strikeout Trevor Mitsui to end the game. Jones has saved four straight games and now has six stops on the year.
Johnson, Portland’s usual Sunday starter, was held to just 3.0 innings of work. The junior right-hander struck out three, allowed three hits and stranded a runner at third base in the bottom of the first inning.
Acker (2-2) gets the loss after tossing just 2.2 innings. He was charged with three runs, only one of which was earned, on two hits and two walks. Three relievers followed Acker, with Zach Wright allowing the Pilots to score an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning. With two outs, Armenta trotted home from third courtesy a passed ball.
UW out-hit Portland 8-5, but the Huskies committed two errors.
The Pilots, who have matched a program record by winning ten straight home games, next return to The Bluff to host Cal State Northridge this weekend. The Pilots and Matadors are set to open the three-game series at 3 p.m. on Friday at Joe Etzel Field.
