PROVO, Utah --- The Brigham Young Cougars jumped out to an early lead before opening a three-game West Coast Conference series with a 10-1 win over the Portland Pilots on Thursday night at Miller Park.
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The Cougars (15-5, 2-2 WCC) got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when they plated four runs. With one run already in and the bases loaded, Mitch McIntyre sent a double to right field that scored all three runners and made it a 4-0 game.
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BYU's lead would grow when they added two more in the bottom of the second. This time Jackson Cluff provided an RBI double, and Keaton Kringlen followed with a run-scoring single to push their lead to 6-0.
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The Pilots (15-7, 1-3 WCC) got one back in the top of the fourth when Hunter Montgomery doubled to left to score Daniel Lopez, who had previously been hit by a pitch. Cody Hawken also singled in the inning to give the Pilots some base runners, but the Cougars ended the threat with consecutive outs.
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BYU scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a comfortable eight-run lead before scoring one more in the seventh.
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Portland starter Kevin Baker (0-2) takes the loss after allowing all four runs in the first inning. Baker was followed by three relievers out of the bullpen.
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Jordan Wood (3-0) stays perfect on the year after going 8.0 innings on the hill. He limited the Pilots to just the one run on eight hits, while striking out six. Reliever Austin Deming worked the ninth inning.
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Game two of this series is set for 5 p.m. on Friday night.
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