Box Scores: Game 1 I Game 2

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland’s Kyle Kraus tossed a complete game as the Pilots defeated Cal State Northridge 8-1 in the first game of a double header, but the Matadors bounced back to claim game two 3-1 at Hilken Stadium on Friday. The third and final game of the series is set for Sunday at 12 p.m.
 
The loss in the second game snaps a six-game winning streak for the Pilots, who now sit at 12-3 on the year. Cal State Northridge is 9-10 overall.
 
Kraus (3-1) held the Matador bats in check during the first game, while the Pilots were able to break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nick Armenta led off the frame with a single, worked his way to third and scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch.
 
Then in the bottom of the fifth inning, Portland broke it wide open with seven runs. With runners on first and second and no outs, Caleb Whalen drilled a triple to the right-center gap that scored two and handed the Pilots a 3-0 lead. Armenta, the very next batter, made it a 4-0 game with a run-scoring single to center.
 
Kris Kauppila would soon follow with a two-run double, and Cody Lenahan scored two with a hard-hit single to center field that pushed the score to 8-1.
 
Kraus did allow a run in the top of the seventh before picking up career win No. 23. That leaves him just two wins shy of matching the all-time mark for career wins in program history.
 
He scattered eight hits during the seven inning game, while striking out four and not issuing a walk.
 
Vincent Roberts (0-3) takes the loss for the Matadors after getting charged with five of Portland’s runs during 5.0 innings of work. Reliever Jacob Leyba allowed three runs, and Travis Beck struck out the only batter he faced to end the sixth inning.
 
The Pilots were unable to get anything going offensively during the second game, despite hitting the ball hard on several occasions. There were only nine hits total with the Matadors holding a slim 5-4 advantage.
 
Cal State Northridge took a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Both runs came on a safety squeeze play with the bases loaded. Ryan Raslowsky laid down a perfect bunt and beat the throw at first for the infield hit. Alexis Mercado scored from third, while Steven Keller came all the way home from second base to give the Matadors the early lead.
 
The Pilots were able to get a run back in the bottom of the third. Beau Fraser tagged a one-out double down the right field line before the next two Pilot hitters walked, loading the bases. Fraser then trotted home on a sacrifice fly to right, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
 
But that’s all the scoring Portland would get, while the Matadors added an insurance run in the seventh. The Pilots did get two runners on the eighth and another on board in the ninth, but were unable to score.
 
Two of Northridge’s three runs were unearned as the Pilots hurt themselves with two errors.
 
Travis Radke (3-1), who was one of four pitchers used by Portland, is saddled with the loss. Alex Muren (4-1) gets the win for the Matadors, and Harley Holt registered his first save of the year.
 
Originally scheduled for UP’s Joe Etzel Field, the weekend series with the Matadors was moved to Hilken Stadium on the Concordia University campus to due unplayable conditions at Portland’s home ballpark.