IRVINE, Calif. --- After the Portland Pilots had taken a one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, the UC Irvine Anteaters rallied from behind for the second straight game, this time claiming a 5-3 win in the series finale on Sunday at Anteater Ballpark. Portland's Ryan Hoogerwerf had another productive day at the plate, recording two doubles and two runs scored, while Kevin Wade drove in a pair of RBI's.
 
Hoogerwerf's first run came in the top of the fourth after he had reached with a one-out double. After moving to third on a fly out, Wade provided the game's first run when he sent a double into center field. Grant Sutton followed with a walk to give the Pilots two on with only one out, but the Anteaters would avoid further damage to keep the score 1-0.
 
UC Irvine (6-4) responded with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth with a single and a fielder's choice, but the Pilots leveled the score with another tally in the top of the sixth inning. Hoogerwerf again reached with a one-out double, advanced to third on a Chris Arpan single, and came home with the tying run when Wade provided a sacrifice fly.
 
The game remained tied 2-2 until the next inning when Portland jumped ahead. With the bases loaded and no outs, Tate Budnick sent a fly ball to left, which was deep enough for Matt Kelly to tag up and score the go-ahead run. Now with one out and the bases still loaded, Portland threatened to add to their lead. But UC Irvine reliever Michael Martin induced a ground-out and a fly out to end the inning, with the Pilots on top 3-2.
 
But like earlier in the game, the Anteaters answered in the home half of the inning, plating two more runs to surge ahead 4-3. Evan Cassolato tied the score with an RBI triple, and Mikey Duarte gave the lead back to the home team with a run-scoring single.
 
An insurance run in the eighth pushed the lead to 5-3, but the Pilots didn't go quietly in the top of the ninth inning. After the first two hitters struck out against UC Irvine closer Calvin Faucher, Budnick reached base with a walk. An infield single by Cody Hawken then gave the Pilots runners on the corners, but Faucher came through with a game-ending K to pick up his fourth save of the year.
 
Portland (1-9) starter Jordan Horak (0-2) pitched into the seventh, giving up four runs on eight hits. The junior lefty fanned five and walked just one in 6.2 innings. Jake Hawken and Connor Knutson followed Horak on the mound.
 
The reliever Martin (1-0) earns the win for the Anteaters.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a trip to Corvallis, Ore., to face the Oregon State Beavers on Tuesday. First pitch at Goss Stadium is set for 5:35 p.m.