Pilots Unable to Top Unbeaten Gaels
MORAGA, Calif. --- Three of Portland’s top four spots picked up wins, but the close fifth and sixth matchups went to the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Sunday as the Portland Pilots lost a tough 4-3 match to the Gaels, who remain unbeaten in West Coast Conference play.
The Gaels are now 3-0 in the WCC and 8-7 overall. Portland is also 8-7 overall and now 1-2 in the conference.
"It was one of those matches where the margin for error was very thin. Alex and Ratan played amazing doubles to win at number one,” Portland head coach Aaron Gross said after the match. “We rolled the dice and mixed up our teams at 2 and 3 and it didn't go well. We have played pretty good doubles indoors where it pays to be more aggressive. But have struggled with a more conservative style needed for outdoors.”
After Saint Mary’s started the match with the all-important doubles points, the singles matches were close once again for the Pilots.
From the top spot, junior Ratan Gill knocked off Jesse Kiuru 6-4, 6-7, 10-2, to pick up his tenth win of the season. In the second position, junior Michel Hu Kwo sidelined Joakim Norstrom 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The match had already been decided by that point, however. The Gaels secured the first singles point from the sixth spot as Thomas Hunt held off freshman Kent Andreasen 7-5, 6-4 and opened a 3-0 team lead with Tuomas Manner’s victory over junior Justin Guay in the third spot.
Junior Alex Ferrero gave Portland its first team point of the match with a 6-3, 7-5 victory, but the Gaels soon claimed the match as Samuel Bloore held off Jackson Martin, 7-6, 7-5.
“Alex and Ratan both carried their momentum into the singles and did very well in getting the job done against solid opponents. Michel gave us our other point at number two where he won a hard fought three setter,” noted Gross. “We had some chances in Jackson Martin's match, but just couldn't get it done. We may kick ourselves knowing that this could have gone our way with better doubles and a little more push at a couple of the other singles spots. We made some mental errors in some tight spots there and need to clean that up."
Portland returns to action on April 4, opening the final homestand of the season with three matches in as many days. Portland opens against Sacramento State that Thursday at 10 a.m. and then hosts the LMU Lions Friday at 9 a.m. The weekend concludes with the Pilots and Pepperdine Waves clashing on Saturday at 11 a.m.
