PASCO, Wash. --- The Portland Pilots fell behind early and never fully recovered as the Washington State Cougars claimed a 7-3 win in a non-conference baseball game played on Tuesday evening at Gesa Stadium. The Pilots next have one more non-conference game remaining, which is scheduled for Wednesday against No. 23 Oregon State in Keizer, Ore.
 
After the Pilots (10-40) left the bases loaded in the top of the first, the Cougars (27-23) scored a run in the bottom of the inning, two more in the third and another in the fourth to surge ahead 4-0.
 
Portland responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the deficit in half. Turner Gill drove in the first run with a single to left field, and Michael Lucarelli trotted home with the second run, courtesy a WSU error.
 
The Cougars answered with a run in the bottom of the frame before pushing across two more in the seventh to take control of the game. Portland did manage to get one back in the eighth when Ryan Barr doubled to center field. Barr's extra base hit scored Gill all the way from first base.
 
But that's as close as the Pilots could get as the Cougars made a winner out of starting pitcher Sam Triece, who remains perfect on the year at 5-0. Triece was one of six WSU pitchers, who combined to hold the Pilots to seven hits.
 
The Cougars managed just one more hit than the Pilots and starter Cole Doherty (1-5) struck out seven in 4.1 innings. But Doherty is saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs, four earned, on six hits and four walks. Jordan Horak and Billy Sahlinger both saw action out of the Portland bullpen.
 
Gill and Devin Kopas each had two hits for the Pilots.
 
Wednesday's game between the Pilots and Beavers is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Volcano Stadium.