SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- After the Pilots had cut into the deficit late in the game, the No. 25 San Diego Toreros responded with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal an 8-2 win over Portland in the finale of a three-game West Coast Conference series on Sunday afternoon at Fowler Park. The victory gives the series to the Toreros, who escaped with wins on Friday and Saturday.
 
The Toreros (13-4, 3-0 WCC) couldn't produce much offense against Portland (2-16, 0-3 WCC) starter Jordan Horak during the first few innings, scoring just twice on a pair of solo home runs. Roman Garcia was responsible for San Diego's homer in the second inning, while Riley Adams left the yard with the bases empty in the fourth to hand the home team a 2-0 lead.
 
Portland responded in the top of the fifth inning after Cody Hawken opened the frame with a lead-off single. He moved to second on a hit batter and ended up on third base courtesy a sacrifice bunt from Michael Forgione. Mike Hicks then cut the deficit in half with an RBI ground out.
 
But the Toreros had an answer, scoring two runs in the home half of the inning, pushing their lead to 4-1. An inning later their advantage was 5-1 after an RBI double by Garcia.
 
The Pilots made things interesting in the top of the eighth inning after the first two batters were retired. Matt Kelly singled, Tate Budnick reached on a walk, and Kevin Wade pulled the Pilots within three when he drove in Kelly with a double to right-center field. Ryan Hoogerwerf followed with a walk to load the bases, but Hawken grounded out to end the inning with the Pilots trailing 5-2.
 
A pair of homers in the bottom of the eighth capped the win for the Toreros.
 
Horak (0-4) allowed four runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. Marty Luckenbach pitched the final 2.2 innings, surrendering four runs on five hits.
 
San Diego starter Paul Richan (2-0) stays perfect on the year, giving up the two runs on five hits in 7.2 innings. He struck out nine, before giving way to reliever Louis Crow, who gets the save.
 
The Pilots next return home to host the Seattle U Redhawks for two non-conference games at Joe Etzel Field, beginning on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Wednesday's contest is slated to begin at 3 p.m.