PORTLAND, Ore. --- With the score tied after three innings, the Pepperdine Waves scored two in the top of the fourth before adding a couple insurance runs to overcome the Portland Pilots 5-1 in a West Conference baseball game played on Friday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. The Pilots will next look to rebound with the second game of the three-game series on Saturday.
 
After Pepperdine's (12-15, 3-4 WCC) Chris Fornaci led off the game with a solo home run, the Pilots (5-22, 1-6 WCC) tied the score with a run in the bottom of the second. Kevin Wade began the frame by reaching on an error, which allowed him to end up on second base. Cody Lenahan then moved Wade to third with a sacrifice bunt and Dan Whittaker tied the score with a hard-hit single down the left field line.
 
The score remained tied until the fourth when Manny Jefferson led off with a double down to left field. A two batters later, Matt Gelalich drove a triple to deep right field to score Jefferson and hand the Waves a one-run lead. Fornaci followed with a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-1 ballgame.
 
Portland's pitchers did well to limit Pepperdine's opportunities from there, but the Waves were able to add insurances runs in the fifth and ninth innings en route to the win.
 
Both teams finished with eight hits and both Wade and Whiattaker led the Pilots with two singles. Aaron Barnett and Jefferson both had two hits for Pepperdine.
 
Waves' starting pitcher Jackson McClelland (4-2) went the distance on the mound to register the complete-game win. He struck out eight and walked just one.
 
Portland starter Billy Sahlinger (2-2) takes the loss after surrendering four runs on the eight hits in 6.0 innings. The junior right-hander struck out six and walked two, and he was followed by five relievers.
 
First pitch for Saturday's game is set for 1 p.m.