Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. --- Portland starter Travis Radke struck out 11, freshman reliever Billy Sahlinger recorded his second career save and Beau Fraser and Chet Thompson each knocked in a run as the Pilots blanked the No. 21 UC Irvine Anteaters 2-0 on Friday night at Anteater Ballpark. Both of Portland’s (3-7) runs came during the first inning.
 
The two runs proved to be more than enough for Radke (1-1) as he cruised through 6.2 innings of work. Radke fanned seven of the first 11 batters he faced and he surrendered just three hits total. Sahlinger took over for the sophomore left-hander with two on and two out in the seventh inning and the freshman righty promptly struck out Jeff Stevens to end the threat.
 
Sahlinger tossed the final 2.1 innings, striking out three. The Anteaters (7-2) were able to get the tying run on base during both the eighth and the ninth, but the native of Bellevue, Wash., remained composed on the mound to get out of both frames without allowing any damage.
 
Irvine starter Andrew Thurman (1-1) also lasted 6.2 innings on the hill, but he did allow the two runs in the top of the first. With two on and two out, Fraser came through with an RBI single up the middle that scored Kramer Scott from second base. Thompson, the very next hitter, added a little insurance with a run-scoring single to right field.
 
Irvine relievers Jimmy Litchfield and Philip Ferragamo combined to hold the Pilots scoreless during the final 2.1 innings.
 
Both teams finished with five hits and Portland’s Caleb Whalen tallied a pair of base hits.
 
The game marked the beginning of a four-game series, which continues tomorrow with a double header beginning at 12 p.m. Sunday’s finale is also scheduled to start at 12 p.m.
 
UC Irvine is the third ranked opponent the Pilots have faced this season and Portland is scheduled to play 10 games against ranked opponents during the first 14 games of the 2013 season.