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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Starter Chris Johnson was solid on the mound, reliever Owen Jones set a new saves record and the Pilots got a balanced offensive attack as Portland topped the Saint Mary’s Gaels 7-5 to claim the three-game West Coast Conference series at Joe Etzel Field on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon. Jones pitched the final inning and a third to register his 15th save of the year, which is a new UP single-season mark.
Jones breaks the previous record of 14 saves, which was set by Chris Dennis in 2010.
Johnson (4-3) recovered from a shaky first inning to work 6.0 strong innings. The Gaels (23-26, 7-14 WCC) got to Johnson for three runs during the first frame, but the junior right-hander held Saint Mary’s scoreless during his final 5.0 innings of work. He fanned eight and scattered six hits.
The Pilots (25-18, 12-9 WCC) answered the Gaels’ three-run first with three runs of their own in the bottom half. Nick Armenta led off with a single before scoring on an RBI triple by Sam Westendorf, his second career three-bagger. Caleb Whalen then pulled Portland within a run on a sacrifice fly to center field, which scored Westendorf.
It then appeared the Gaels would get out of the inning without further damage, but with two outs and the bases empty, Kris Kauppila drew a walk. After an error extended the inning, Brian Frattali took full advantage with a game-tying RBI single to center that brought home Kauppila from second base, evening the score at 3-3.
The Pilots then put up three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control of the game. Again with two outs and the bases empty, Kauppila sparked a rally, this time with a double to right-center field. An infield single and a hit batter later and the Pilots had the bases loaded.
That’s when Beau Fraser accomplished a rare feat. With a full count and all three runners on the move, Fraser hit a three-run bloop single to shallow center field, which handed the Pilots a 6-3 lead.
An inning later and the Portland lead was 7-3, courtesy an RBI fielder’s choice by Tuner Gill. The Gaels tried to get Armenta at the plate on Gill’s grounder to first base, but the sophomore beat the throw. Armenta had begun the inning with a lead-off triple.
The Gaels did score a run in the top of the eighth inning off of Portland reliever Brandon Snyder before scoring their final run, unearned, in the ninth.
Starter Jordan Mills (4-5) takes the loss for the Gaels after surrendering six runs, five earned, in 3.0 innings. The lefty allowed six hits and a walk, while striking out three. Ben Griset, one of three SMC relievers, allowed the other Portland run.
Both teams had nine hits, and Kauppila finished 3-for-3 with two runs. Armenta had a pair of hits and a pair of runs, while Fraser notched his second muti-RBI game of the season.
Saint Mary’s won the series opener on Friday before the Pilots bounced back to claim both games during the weekend.
Sunday was senior day as the Pilots honored their five seniors with a pre-game ceremony. Jones, Kauppila, Westendorf, Keeler Brynteson and Kyle Kraus were all playing in the final WCC game at Joe Etzel Field.
The Pilots next step out of conference for games this week at Oregon State and at Washington. Tuesday’s game against the Beavers is set for 5:35 p.m. at Goss Stadium in Corvallis. The Pilots and Huskies with then play at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
