OMAHA, Neb. --- The Portland Pilots ended their road trip to Nebraska with a 4-3 win over the Creighton Bluejays on Sunday afternoon at TD Ameritrade Park. Dutton Elske homered for the Pilots, and Connor Knutson collected his fourth save of the year, which moves him closer to Portland's all-time record.
 
The Bluejays (5-8) took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first, but the Pilots responded with a run in the third, another in the fourth, and two more in the fifth. Elske's homer came in the third inning, and the solo shot leveled the score 1-1.
 
With two outs and Henry Cheney on second base in the fourth, Sean Mulcare came through with an RBI single to left field, giving the Pilots the lead. In the top of the fifth inning, Jake Holcroft produced one of his two doubles on the day, and Chad Stevens was plunked to put two Pilots on base. Tracye Tammaro followed with a base hit through the left side of the infield, which brought home Holcroft. Cheney then sent an RBI single up the middle, and Portland was on top 4-1.
 
The Bluejays tried to rally late and did score a run in both the eighth and ninth innings, but Knutson was able to secure the win. The senior closer didn't allow a hit in 2.0 innings of work, and he K'd one. Knutson now has 22 saves for his career, which is two away from matching the program's all-time career saves record of 24.
 
Reliever Peter Allegro preceded Knutson on the mound, and he claims the win to improve to 1-0 on the year. Allegro tossed 2.2 innings, yielding a run on three hits. Eli Morse started the game on the hill, and Johnny Carter pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
 
Creighton used two pitchers, and the loss goes to starter Tommy Steier (0-1).
 
The Pilots next begin play in the West Coast Conference by hosting the San Diego Toreros for a three-game series next weekend in Corvallis, Ore. The series begins with a 6 p.m. game on Friday night at Goss Stadium.