SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots took a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning, but the No. 25 San Diego Toreros belted a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the frame to walk off with a 3-2 win in the West Coast Conference opener on Friday night at Fowler Park. Portland freshman starter Grady Miller was masterful in the loss, fanning nine in 7.1 innings, while allowing just one run on three hits.
 
The game was tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth when the Pilots (2-14, 0-1 WCC) took a 2-1 lead, seemingly en route to the victory. The ninth began with Ryan Kim reaching on a single. He then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Michael Forgione. Moments later Kim came home with the go-ahead run, courtesy a San Diego error, giving the Pilots a brief 2-1 lead.
 
But the Toreros (11-4, 1-0 WCC) immediately responded with back-to-back solo home runs to begin the home half of the final frame, handing the improbable victory to the home team.
 
Miller was fresh off a 12-strikeout performance last weekend, and he continued his dominance on the mound Friday against the 25th-ranked team in the country. His only blemish was a solo homer allowed to Aidan Stinnett in the bottom of the second inning, which at the time gave San Diego a 1-0 lead.
 
The game would remain 1-0 until the sixth inning. That's when Kevin Wade leveled the score with an RBI single up the middle that scored Cal Webb from third base.
 
The Toreros then scored their two runs in the ninth off of Portland reliever Kevin Baker (0-3). The sophomore right-hander did strike out two in limited work.
 
San Diego reliever Troy Conyers (2-0) was gifted with the win after throwing just an inning and a third. He was the third USD pitcher on the night, and he was responsible for Portland's run in the top of the ninth.
 
Tomorrow brings the second game of this three-game series, which is slated to begin at 6 p.m.