EDINBURG, Texas --- The Portland Pilots scored four runs in the top of the eighth to claim a 6-4, come-from-behind win over the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at the Al Ogletree Classic on a foggy Friday night at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium. The win is the second of the day for the Pilots, who earlier defeated the North Dakota State Bison 2-1.
 
Down 4-2 to begin the eighth, Daniel Lopez and Tracye Tammaro each reached with a single to give the Pilots runners on the corners with one out. Travis Turney then loaded the bases by getting hit-by-a-pitch, and UTRGV recorded a strike out for the second out of the inning.
 
Matt Kelly then stepped up to the plate, and the senior drew a walk to force in Lopez and make it a one-run game. The next batter was Chad Stevens, who sent a grounder towards the shortstop. Stevens reached safely on a throwing error, which also allowed Tammaro to score the game-tying run. Turney and Kelly followed Tammaro home, courtesy another throwing error, and just like that the Pilots were now on top 6-4.
 
The Vaqueros threatened to score in the home half of the eighth by getting two runners on base, but reliever Christian Peters avoided any damage with a strike out, a ground out, and a fly out. Portland closer Connor Knutson then took over in the ninth, and he retired UTRGV in order for his second save on the day.
 
The win improves Portland's record to 5-1 on the year, which is the best start to a season since 2012. UTRGV falls to 2-3.
 
Kelly was also responsible for the Pilots' first run when he left the yard in the top of the first inning with a solo homer. It's the second home run this season for Kelly.
 
Portland's bats then when silent as UTRGV scored a run in the second, third, and fourth innings to surge in front. Turney got one back for the Pilots with an RBI single in the top of the sixth, but UTRGV responded with a run in the bottom of the inning.
 
Portland reliever Peter Allegro (1-0) gets his first career win on the hill after the freshman worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh inning. Only two of the six runs allowed by the Pilots were earned.
 
UTRGV used four pitchers, with the loss going to reliever Ryan Jackson (0-1).
 
The Pilots next face UTRGV again on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. (Pacific).