PORTLAND, Ore. --- The No. 24 BYU Cougars received solid pitching, both from their starter and a pair of relievers, and got just enough offense to prevail 4-1 over the Portland Pilots on a picture-perfect Friday night at Joe Etzel Field. The four runs match a season-low for the Cougars, who lead the country in runs per game (9.5).
 
For the second straight game the Cougars (22-3, 6-2 WCC) jumped ahead early. Their first tally came in the top of the third inning on an RBI single from Colton Shaver, which broke a scoreless tie. The run came after Portland (13-14, 1-4 WCC) starter Davis Tominaga had retired the first two batters of the frame.
 
BYU then plated two more in the fourth, taking a 3-0 lead. Bronson Larsen drove in a run with a single to left field, and the second run scored on a Portland double play.
 
Portland reliever Kevin Baker then took over on the mound to begin the top of the fifth inning, and the right-handed sophomore was stellar for 4.2 innings. He struck out five and didn't allow a hit until the ninth inning, which came with two outs. That hit was a double from Hayden Nielsen, who scored an insurance run when Brock Hale followed with a single to make it 4-1.
 
The Pilots' run came in the bottom of the sixth inning after Michael Forgione singled to left with two outs. Eric Sapp then slapped a double down the right field line, and Forgione came all the way around to score, pulling the Pilots within 3-1.
 
But the Cougars would hold on for the victory, making a winner of starting pitcher Maverik Buffo (5-1). The righty allowed just the one run on six hits in 6.1 innings, struck out 10, and didn't issue a walk. Keaton Cenatiempo and Mason Marshall then combined to hold the Pilots hitless and scoreless during the final 2.2 innings, and Marshall registers his third save of the season.
 
Tominaga (2-5) takes the loss after scattering seven hits in 4.0 innings, and Cole Doherty came in to record the final out in the top of the ninth.
 
The win allows BYU to claim the three-game series, and the Pilots will try to salvage a win during the finale tomorrow, which is set to begin at 11 a.m. at Joe Etzel Field.