DAVIS, Calif. --- Twice the Pilots fell behind early on Saturday, and twice Portland rallied for the win to claim both ends of a double header over the UC Davis Aggies at Dobbins Stadium. In the first game, the Pilots (3-0) scored eight unanswered runs en route to a 9-6 win. The Pilots then took the second game 7-4 to win the four-game series, with the series finale scheduled for tomorrow.
Portland's Cooper Hummel, who began the season with a 3-for-3 day yesterday, was solid once again on Saturday, going a combined 4-for-8 with four RBI's and two runs scored. He's driven in seven RBI's total the past two games, and scored five runs.
The Pilots have also been solid on the mound, getting a win from reliever Davis Tominaga (1-0) in the first game after he replaced starter Kevin Baker in the bottom of the third inning with the Pilots trailing 6-1. Tominaga, a junior righty, would hold UC Davis (0-3) scoreless the rest of the way, while his offense provided plenty of run support.
The Pilots began their comeback in the first game in the top of the fourth inning with four runs. With runners on second and third and one out, Kevin Farley began the Portland rally with a run-scoring single through the left side. Cody Hawken followed with a clutch double down the left field line that scored both Kevin Wade and Farley. Eric Sapp then made it a one-run game when he picked up an RBI with a perfectly placed bunt.
An inning later the comeback was complete when Brady Kerr trotted home with the tying run on a balk.
The Pilots continued their offensive surge in the top of the sixth with three more runs to hand Tominaga the lead. Following an unearned run, Caleb Whalen drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Pilots would add one more unearned run in the frame to take claim a three-run cushion.
And that's all Tominaga would need as he easily held the UC Davis bats in check. He yielded just four hits, struck out four and didn't issue a walk in 6.1 innings of work.
Hummel drove in the game's first run with a two-out, RBI double in the top of the first inning. But the Aggies responded with the six runs to chase Baker.
UC Davis reliever Robert Garcia (0-1) is saddled with the loss after allowing those three unearned runs in the top of the sixth. He worked 4.2 innings, and starter Matt Blais was charged with six runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings.
Game two began much like the first game with the Pilots scoring a run in the top of the first inning before the Aggies surged ahead. This time the deficit was 3-1 going into the second inning. The Pilots scored one in the second and tied it with another run in the fourth. Grant Taylor provided Portland's run in the first with a solo home run, his first of the season.
Ryan Barr scored on a double play in the second inning, and Hummel drove in Whalen in the fourth to even the score 3-3. Whalen had previously tripled, giving the senior 14 for his career. That ties Larry Farrell for the most in program history.
The Aggies reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Pilots answered with three runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. Whalen and Hummel had back-to-back doubles in the frame, with Hummel's driving in two. Kevin Wade then picked up an RBI with a single to center field.
Portland scored the game's final run in the top of the ninth when Michael Forgione drew a bases loaded walk.
Jackson Lockwood started the second game on the hill for Portland, allowing four runs on six hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter.
Three relievers followed Lockwood, combining for 4.0 scoreless innings to secure the win. Marty Luckenbach (1-0) worked 2.0 innings to register his first win with the Pilots, and Jake Hawken tossed two-thirds of an inning. Billy Sahlinger pitched the final 1.1 innings to pick up the save.
The Aggies used three pitchers, with Justin Mullins (0-1) taking the loss. He surrendered six runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings.
Tomorrow's finale is set for 1 p.m.
