PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland's Cooper Hummel went 4-for-4 at the plate with three doubles and three RBI's and Alex Fisher was stellar in relief as the Pilots handled the CSUN Matadors 7-3 on Saturday afternoon in the series finale at Joe Etzel Field. The win gives the Pilots a split in the four-game series.
Hummel matches a program record with his three doubles, and he's the first Pilot to accomplish that feat since Rock Gale in 2010. No Pilot has ever had four doubles in a game.
Hummel's first double came in the first inning as the Pilots (13-11) wasted little time to get on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Brady Kerr began the three-run inning with a single, and Caleb Whalen followed with the first of three straight doubles for the Pilots. Hummel drove in two with a shot down the left field line, and Ryan Barr sent one the other way to knock in another run.
Portland then scored three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control of the game. Again the inning started with both Kerr and Whalen getting on base, and again Hummel picked up an RBI, this time with a single to left field. Barr and Kevin Farley followed with RBI singles of their own, and just like that it was a 6-0 game.
Hummel kept his solid day going with another double in the 5th before scoring on a double by Kevin Wade a few batters later. This answered a CSUN run in the top of the inning and gave the Pilots a 7-1 lead.
CSUN's (20-5) Albee Weiss homered in the top of the sixth and the Matadors added a run in the ninth with the help of a Portland error on a potential game-ending double play.
The Pilots received solid pitching from both Fisher and starter Kevin Baker, who went 4.2 innings. Baker struck out four and allowed one run on five hits. Fisher (1-1) entered the game in the top of the fifth and went the rest of the way to earn his first win of the season. The junior righty let in two runs on four hits, while fanning three.
CSUN starter Angel Rodriguez (3-1) was charged with all seven runs, which came on 10 hits. The Matador bullpen combined to hold the Pilots scoreless during the final 3.2 innings. Rodriguez entered the game with an unblemished record and a 1.27 ERA.
Portland out-hit the Matadors 11-9, and Whalen and Barr each had a multi-hit game. Barr also had two RBI's, while Whalen scored twice.
The Pilots next make the trek to Bellevue, Wash., to face the Seattle Redhawks on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch at Bannerwood Park is set for 4 p.m.