HILLSBORO, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots rallied to win the first game 6-5 against Utah Valley before cruising to an 8-2 victory in game two to claim both ends of a double header on Friday at Ron Tonkin Field. Jake Holcroft had three RBI's in the first game, and Hunter Montgomery hit two home runs in the second.
The win improves Portland to 5-1 overall, while the Wolverines drop to 1-6.
The Pilots had to rally to take the first game after trailing 5-1 through four and a half innings. In that fifth inning, the Pilots drew a pair of walks to begin the frame and spark the comeback bid. With two on, Holcroft sent a triple into the right field corner, scoring both Nich Klemp and Ben Petacsil to make it a two-run game.
Chad Stevens then stepped to the plate, and he drove an RBI double down the left field line, and just like that the Pilots were within one of Utah Valley.
Two innings later it was still a one-run game, but Tracye Tammaro changed that when he hammered a ball over the fence in right field. The solo blast, which is his third homer of the year, leveled the score at 5-5.
In the eighth the Pilots completed the comeback by manufacturing what would prove to be the game-winning run. Klemp and Christian Cooney both reached via walks to open the inning, and Petacsil advanced the runners with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt. Holcroft then came through with a sacrifice fly to put the Pilots ahead for the first time.
Reliever Connor Knutson (1-0) took care of the Wolverines in the top of the ninth to secure the win. Knutson worked 2.0 innings total, fanning two and yielding just one hit.
Before Knutson, Brett Gillis was masterful in 4.0 innings of work out of the bullpen. He K'd seven, surrendered just one hit, and didn't allow a run in relief of Portland starter Eli Morse.
Utah Valley had scored three runs in top of the first and two more in the third to claim the early advantage. Portland did get a run back in the bottom of the second when Montgomery led off with a single and eventually stole second. Klemp then produced a two-out, run-scoring single to right field, making it a 3-1 game at the time.
The loss goes to Devin Smith (0-2), who was one of five pitchers used by the Wolverines.
Portland starter Christian Peters started the second game where he left off last week against Nevada. The reigning WCC Pitcher of the Week limited Utah Valley's chances and had five K's during the first three innings. That included in the top of the second when he recorded two big strike outs to end the threat after UVU had loaded the bases.
The Pilots rewarded their pitcher by plating five in the bottom of the third. Gabe Skoro and Ethan Smith both reached base with infield singles, and Stevens slapped a single to left that scored both runners. Tammaro followed with a walk, and Montgomery then left the yard with a drive to left field, pushing the Portland lead to 5-0.
Portland added two more runs in the fifth when the Wolverines hit Gillis with the bases loaded, and followed that with a wild pitch that allowed a run to score.
And in the seventh, Montgomery left the building with his second home run of the game.
Utah Valley's runs came in the sixth and eighth innings
The win goes to Peters (2-0) after the righty worked 7.0 innings for the second time this season. He scattered four hits, allowed only one run, and struck out seven. The Pilots were again solid out of the bullpen as Johnny Carter was solid in his Pilot debut. He tossed 1.2 flawless innings, which included three strike outs.
UVU starter Jaxson Otis (0-1) is saddled with the loss.
Portland will go after the series win tomorrow when they play the finale of the four-game set at 1 p.m. at Ron Tonkin Field.
