Box Score Bats Back Strong Pitching in Win over Bakersfield
 
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior Cody Lenahan launched a two-run home run as the Portland Pilots captured the series opener over the Bakersfield Roadrunners Friday afternoon at Hilken Community Stadium. Freshman Kevin Wade added a two-run double in Portland's 5-1 victory.
 
The win snaps the Pilots' eight game losing streak as they improve to 3-10. Bakersfield drops to 6-7.
 
Freshman Austin Kelly (1-2) claimed his first collegiate win with a complete game. Kelly needed just 95 pitches on the afternoon, limiting Bakersfield to one run on five hits. The outstanding outing lowered the Happy Valley native's ERA to 2.35 in 23.0 innings worked.
 
Lenahan provided enough offense for Kelly with his sixth inning blast. Lenahan pulled an 0-1 fastball into the grandstands just inside the right field foul pole.
 
Sparked by the bottom of the lineup, Portland erased a 1-0 deficit with a three run fifth inning. Senior Chet Thompson worked a full count walk and advanced to second on a bunt single by junior Michael Lucarelli.
 
After a fielder's choice, junior Caleb Whalen sent a ground ball back up the middle to knot the game at one. Wade then broke the tie by driving the first pitch over the left fielder's head to score a pair of runs.
 
Bakersfield scored the first run of the game in the fourth. Oscar Sanay led things off with a double to left center field and came around to score on Chance Gusbeth.
 
Taylor Aikenhead surrendered five runs in six innings off work for Bakersfield. Portland scored all five of their runs against Aikenhead, collecting eight hits and five walks.
 
The Pilots and Roadrunners are scheduled to play a double header on Saturday back at Joe Etzel Field. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. with the second game starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.