RIDGEFIELD, Wash. --- Chad Stevens hit a two-run homer and the Pilots were solid on the mound once again as Portland opened a four-game series against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks with a 3-2 win on Friday afternoon at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. Starter Christian Peters continued his stellar beginning to the season to register the win, and stopper Connor Knutson collected career save number 20.
 
Stevens left the yard in the top of the first inning with his first home run of the year. Jake Holcroft had previously reached on an infield single, and Stevens hit a liner over the left field fence to give the Pilots the early 2-0 edge.
 
The Lumberjacks got a run back in the top of the second, which was unearned due to a Portland error.
 
But that was the only blemish as Peters cruised through 7.0 innings. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Pilots added some insurance when Hunter Montgomery and Ben Petacsil hit back-to-back doubles, pushing the Portland lead to 3-1.
 
The 'Jacks cut into the deficit in the top of the eighth inning when they capitalized on another Portland error. With a runner on first base. Carson Clowers hit a soft single to center. The ball got past the centerfielder, which allowed Gabe Irwin to score all the way from first base, and Clowers ended up on third base with no outs.
 
Reliever Brett Gills then recorded a clutch strike out before coming through with perhaps the defensive play of the game. Kanin Dodge laid down a bunt, and Cowers tried to score on the safety squeeze. But Gillis scooped it up and tagged Cowers before he reached home plate. Gillis then K'd the next batter to get out of the inning and preserve the 3-2 lead.
 
Knutson took care of the top of the ninth to seal the win, allowing the Pilots to begin the season with a 7-1 record. It's Portland's best record after eight games since the 2011 team also opened at 7-1.
 
Peters finished with seven K's, he scattered five hits, and he didn't issue a walk. He also lowers his season ERA to a miniscule 0.43.
 
Knutson records his second save of the year, and he's now just four career stops shy of matching Portland's all-time record of 24.
 
The loss goes to SFA (3-6) starter Angelo Gennari, who worked 5.1 innings. He was charged with all three Portland runs.
 
The series continues with a double header tomorrow, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.