SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Senior catcher Tate Budnick hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth to cap another Portland rally for a 7-6 victory against the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday at Stephen Schott Stadium. The Pilots claim the series with their second late inning rally of the week and improve to 10-16 and 4-5 in WCC play. The Broncos fall to 15-10 overall and 4-5 in league play.
Portland has now won two of its first three WCC series, also taking two-of-three from Saint Mary's at home to open conference play. This weekend's series had drama in all three games.
The Pilots set a program record by coming back from a seven-run deficit to steal game one 11-9 on Thursday courtesy of a nine-run eighth inning. Santa Clara overcame three deficits to pull out a 7-6 win on Friday to even the series, before Portland dropped two runs in the ninth on Saturday for the victory.
The Pilots seemed in control for most of the game on Saturday as senior right-hander Camden Muller had allowed just one hit and no runs through the first six innings as Portland built a 4-0 lead. The Broncos plated two in the bottom of the seventh, but the Pilots made it 5-2 with a run in the eighth after Matt Kelly doubled to lead off and scored.
Santa Clara re-claimed the momentum and the lead with a four-run surge in the bottom of the eighth capped by a two-out, three-run homer from John Cresto for a 6-5 lead.
The Portland bats came through once again in the ninth as Cody Hawken drilled a leadoff triple to right center field. He scored on a Chad Stevens single up the middle to tie the game. After a successful sacrifice moving Stevens to second, he scored when Budnick hit a single back up the middle.
Cameron Richman came on to close it out in the ninth for the Pilots. He struck out the leadoff hitter, but Grant Meylan followed with a single. Richman then got Austin Fisher to bounce into a game-ending double play for his first save of the season.
Muller finished with a no decision after going 7.2 innings and allowing five runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Connor Knutson (2-1) was credited with the win for the Pilots.
Eric Lex (2-3) surrendered the two runs in the ninth to take the loss for Santa Clara. Starter Travis Howard tossed 5.0 innings and scattered eight hits with three strikeouts. He allowed four runs (three earned).
Seven Pilots had two hits on the afternoon as Portland finished with 15 hits and zero errors. The Broncos were held to seven hits and committed three miscues.
Kelly finished 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, three runs scored and an RBI. Hawken was 2-for-4 with a double, triple and two runs scored. Stevens also was 2-for-4 with a run scored, RBI and stolen base.
Portland will return to the diamond at Gonzaga for a three-game WCC series next weekend in Spokane, Wash. Friday and Saturday are slated for 6 p.m. first pitches, while the series finale on Sunday with be a noon start.
