PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Pilots made a late push and had some solid pitching from the bullpen, but it ultimately wasn't enough as the Santa Clara Broncos clinched the series with a 4-2 win in Portland. The loss drops Portland to 11-11 on the year and 4-2 in conference play.

Caleb Franzen took the loss for Portland. The starter gave up three runs in the third and seven hits total in 3.1 innings of work. The bullpen, however, did well to keep Portland in it. Peter Allegro struck out six and gave up only one run in four innings while Eli Morse gave up no runs in the final two innings, striking out the side in the top of the ninth.

Despite the solid relief effort, the Portland offense couldn't overtake Santa Clara. The Pilots mustered up nine hits but left 10 on base. Three batters racked up multiple hits on the day. Ben Patacsil went 2-for-5 and drove in Portland's only two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Chad Stevens also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double while Jake Tsukada went 2-for-3 with a double of his own.

Santa Clara got on the board first with three runs in the third inning. Franzen had pitched an excellent game up to that point with no hits, no runs and three strikeouts, but the Broncos broke it open. Center fielder Coleman Brigman hit a single through the left side that brought in a run to get things started. Then Jason Dicochea tacked on two more with a homer over the left field wall to make it 3-0 Broncos.

Allegro replaced Franzen in the fourth and did well to hold Santa Clara's offense at bay, but the Broncos finally found an opening in the seventh inning. Eamonn Lance stepped up to the plate and hit a ball to left center that brought in a run, making it 4-0 Santa Clara.

The Pilots were finally able to respond, however, in the bottom half of the inning. Patacsil stepped up to the plate with two runners on and hit a nice ball to right field that brought in both Jake Holcroft and Ethan Smith. The two-run double made it 4-2 Broncos.

It all came down to the final inning for the Pilots. Eli Morse struck out three Broncos in the top of the ninth to give Portland a chance. After pinch hitter Gabe Skoro grounded out and Holcroft struck out, Stevens was able to hit a single to center field. But Patacsil struck out swinging in the final at bat, ending the game and Portland's chances at a comeback. The Broncos won 4-2.

Next up, the Pilots have a nonconference game back at Joe Etzel Field against the No. 21 Oregon State Beavers. That game is set for Tuesday, Mar. 30 at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on NBC Sports Northwest and live stats will be available at PortlandPilots.com.