PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior outfielder Caleb Whalen belted his fourth home run of the year, but the No. 24 Brigham Young Cougars jumped out to an early lead before prevailing 8-2 over the Pilots to begin a three-game West Coast Conference series at Joe Etzel Field on Thursday night.
Whalen's blast came after the Cougars (20-3, 5-2 WCC) had scored six runs during the game's first three innings. With two outs in the bottom of the third, he drilled a 2-0 pitch deep over the fence in left, briefly pulling the Pilots within 6-1.
Cooper Hummel then reached on an error and Ryan Barr followed with a single as the Pilots tried to extend the inning, but BYU starter Michael Rucker escaped the jam with a strike out.
BYU then took control of the game with three more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Brennon Lund and Jackson Cluff both doubled during the frame, and Colton Shaver provided the big hit with a two-run homer.
Portland (13-13, 1-3 WCC) tried to rally late, loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth, and Eric Sapp brought in a run with a sacrifice fly. Reliever Bo Burrup was then able to avoid further damage with a ground out.
Portland starter Jordan Wilcox (4-1) registers his first loss of the year after the righty was touched for eight runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings. He did strike out four, and was followed by Cole Doherty and Jake Hawken out of the bullpen. Hawken tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, yielding a pair of hits, while fanning three.
Rucker earns the win for the Cougars, improving to 6-0. He allowed one run on five hits in 6.0 innings. Relieve Easton Walker was charged with Portland's run in the eighth, and Burrup worked the final 1.2 innings.
Whalen, who leads the team in home runs, had two of Portland's seven hits. His other hit was a double, giving him 14 on the year. He entered the night tied for second in the nation in that category. Barr also finished with two hits for the Pilots.
Game two of this league series is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday night at Joe Etzel Field.
