NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The CSUN Matadors broke open a close game by scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning before claiming the 2017 season opener 6-0 over the Portland Pilots on Saturday afternoon at Matador Field.
 
The game remained scoreless for the first 3.5 innings before CSUN (1-0) got on the board with a solo homer from Kevin Riley over the left-field fence.
 
This came after Portland's (0-1) Kevin Wade nearly left the yard with a two-run shot in top half of the frame. With two out and Cody Hawken on second base, Wade drove a ball to deep center field, where it was caught at the wall by Justin Toerner, preserving the scoreless tie.
 
Portland freshman lefty Gray Miller (0-1) was affective during his first collegiate start, but he did run into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth. The first two batters of the inning reached, courtesy a bunt single and a double to left. Miller then gave way to reliever Kevin Baker, and Riley greeted the new pitcher with an RBI double.
 
Four more runs would come in, with two of them scoring on a single from Dylan Alexander.
 
Miller's final stats included three earned runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out two and didn't issue a walk. Cameron Richman and Noah Bode followed Baker on the hill, and the pair combined to hold the Matadors scoreless during the final two innings. Bode struck out two.
 
CSUN starter Andrew Weston (1-0) worked a solid 8.0 innings, allowing just three hits while fanning seven. Drake Atlee pitched a scoreless ninth.
 
Hawken was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, while the Pilots also got hits from Daniel Lopez, Devin Kopas and Beau Brundage.
 
Rain caused the Pilots and Matadors to adjust the weekend series, with Friday's scheduled opener postponed due to heavy rain. UP and CSUN were also supposed to play two on Saturday, but will instead cap their abbreviated series with a double header on Sunday. The first game Sunday morning is set to begin at 9 a.m.