EDINBURG, Texas --- Portland starter Eli Morse threw 8.0 solid innings and Connor Knutson registered his first save of the year as the Pilots opened the Al Ogletree Classic with a 2-1 win over the North Dakota State Bison on Friday afternoon at UTRGV Baseball Stadium. Morse, a sophomore right-hander, allowed just four hits, while striking out seven.
 
The Bison's (1-3) only run of the game came in the bottom of the first inning as Carter Thompson sent an RBI single to right-center field. But that's all Morse (1-0) would surrender as he faced only 31 batters for the game.
 
Portland's (4-1) two runs both came in the top of the third inning and proved more than enough for Morse and Knutson. Gabe Skoro and Blake Porter began the third with consecutive singles before Matt Kelly moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Chad Stevens then provided a sacrifice fly, which scored Skoro and evened the score 1-1. A batter later Porter trotted home on a wild pitch with what would prove to be the game-winner.
 
Porter finished with two of Portland's six hits.
 
Knutson did yield a hit in the ninth, but the closer fanned two to get the save.
 
The Pilots now play tournament host UTRGV in the night cap.