PORTLAND, Ore. --- With the score tied in the top of the eighth inning, the Gonzaga Bulldogs scored the go-ahead run on a fluke play before holding on to claim a 3-2 win over the Portland Pilots in the finale of a three-game West Coast Conference series on Sunday at Joe Etzel Field. The Pilots out-hit the Bulldogs for the second straight game, and Portland got the potential tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth.
 
But it was that play in the eighth inning that proved to be the difference. With two outs and runners on first and second, Portland catcher Tate Budnick threw down to second, trying to pick off Gonzaga's Jake Roberts, who had drifted too far off the base. The throw easily had Roberts picked, but the ball hit the base and ended up in the outfield. The miscue allowed Roberts to round third and score, handing the visitors the one-run lead.
 
Reliever Sam Hellinger then retired the Pilots in order in the eighth before allowing a one-out single to Jason Rosen in the bottom of the ninth. But a pair of outs later gave Hellinger (4-2) his fourth win of the year.
 
The loss somewhat overshadows another quality start for Portland's Kevin Baker, as the sophomore righty went 7.0 innings, striking out eight. He didn't walk a batter and yielded only two runs on five hits.
 
Jordan Horak (1-7) took over on the hill to begin the top of the eighth inning, and he's charged with the loss after working the final 2.0 innings.
 
The Pilots previously took a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Mike Hicks sent a single up the middle to score Kevin Wade, the first run of the game. Ryan Hoogerwerf followed with a single to left that brought home Cody Hawken, and just like that the home side had a two-run cushion.
 
Gonzaga got one back in the fourth inning before evening the score in the top of the seventh. Troy Johnston fisted a double down the right field line, and Jace Vandebrake tied it with a bouncer up the middle.
 
The Pilots (8-30-1, 4-14 WCC) got a runner on base in every inning except one, and they finished with 11 hits to Gonzaga's seven. Kelly, Wade and Beau Brundage each had two hits for the Pilots.
 
Hellinger was the third pitcher for the Bulldogs after starter Casey Legumina lasted just 2.2 innings.
 
The Pilots next step out of conference for two games at UNLV. Tuesday's game with the Rebels in Las Vegas, Nev., is set for 6 p.m., while first pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 2 p.m.