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PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Brigham Young Cougars defeated the Portland Pilots 11-1 on Thursday afternoon to open a three-game West Coast Conference series at Joe Etzel Field. The Cougars led 5-1 after three innings before adding two runs in the sixth, three more in the seventh and another in the eight en route to the win.
 
Leading 1-0 in the top of the third, the Cougars (20-31, 10-15 WCC) took control of the scoreboard with a four-spot. Dillon Robinson had an RBI single in the frame before Brock Whitney sent a two-run single up the middle to make a 4-0 game. BYU then scored on a Portland error to claim a five-run cushion.
 
The Pilots (11-39, 5-20 WCC) responded with a run in the bottom of the third to momentarily pull within four. With two outs and the bases empty, Turner Gill sent his second double of the game down the right field line. A batter later, Gill came home with Portland's lone run after the BYU shortstop booted a grounder off the bat of Kevin Wade.
 
But that's all BYU starter Jeff Barker (6-5) would allow as the junior righty went the distance for the complete game win. Barker scattered eight hits, struck out six and issued just one walk.
 
The loss goes to Portland starter Colin Feldtman (2-8), who allowed nine runs, eight earned, on 11 hits in 6.0 innings. Relievers Bill Sahlinger, Carl Snaring and Alec Zeidler followed Feldtman on the hill.
 
Portland senior outfielder Chet Thompson had a nice day at the plate going 3-for-4. Gill added his two doubles to help the Pilots combine for eight hits on the day. BYU finished with 11 hits.
 
The second game of this WCC series is set for 3 p.m. tomorrow, while Saturday's finale is scheduled for 11 a.m.