RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Portland Pilots took both games of their doubleheader against the UC Riverside Highlanders, taking Game 1 7-6 in the final inning and Game 2 10-0 with early runs helping them take control. The wins give Portland their second sweep of the season.
Read our recaps for both games below.
Game 1
The Pilots took the first of two games against the Highlanders after earning two walks in the final inning. This win officially clinched the series for the Pilots over the Highlanders.
Peter Allegro officially earns the win after pitching three innings in relief for the Pilots, allowing two runs and three hits with one strikeout. Freshman righty Joey Gartrell also earned the first start of his career, going three innings with four runs and five hits allowed and two strikeouts. Taylor Juline took the loss for UC Riverside.
Portland scored seven runs off eight hits against the Highlanders. Ethan Smith was the only batter to record two hits on the day, going 2-for-3. Jake Tsukada, Sam Brown and Ty Saunders also each recorded RBI's. The Pilots did not have any extra-base hits against the Highlanders.
Portland once again got started early, with two runs in the opening frame. Both runs came off of outs, with Evan Scavotto hitting a sacrifice fly that made it 1-0 Portland and Sam Brown grounding out and giving just enough time to Jake Holcroft to cross home plate the second score. For the second game in a row, the Pilots had a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
UC Riverside responded in a big way in the third inning. Andrew Rivas got things going with an RBI single to bring in one run. Joey Nicolai and Dylan Orick followed that up with RBI singles themselves. The Highlanders earned one more run off a fielder's choice to give themselves a 4-2 lead.
Portland didn't let that lead stand for long. The following inning, they scored three runs to wrestle back control. Two runs came in one at bat, one coming via the RBI single from Saunders and the other off a throwing error by the Highlanders. The Pilots then added one more off a wild pitch to make it 5-4 Pilots.
The Highlanders didn't go away quietly. They scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning, which was meant to be the final of the first game. Portland needed a run to take back the lead. Instead of one, they got two, albeit in simple fashion. With the bases loaded, both Trace Tammaro and Tsukada were walked, giving Portland two runs back-to-back. Riverside scored one more in the bottom of the inning, but couldn't tie it back up.
Game 2
The Pilots took Game 2 as well over the Highlanders by a score of 10-0. Six came within the first three innings and the final four came in closing frame. The win earned them the sweep and marked their third win by 10 or more runs this season.
Brett Gillis took the win for the Pilots, his third on the year. Gillis pitched seven complete innings with six strikeouts, seven hits allowed and no runs. It's the second time he's shutout an opponent this year. Caleb Turner takes the loss.
Ben Patacsil and Tony Boetto both starred at the plate. Patacsil batted 2-for-3 with three RBI's while Boetto went 2-for-4 with three RBI's of his own. Henry Muench also impressed with a 2-for-3 outing, two RBI's and a double. Jake Tsukada had the most hits on the day at 3-for-4 with an RBI and Trace Tammaro closes out the multi-hit Pilots at 2-for-4.
The Pilots scored four runs in the opening frame to give themselves solid positioning. Boetto brought in the first two runs with an RBI single right up the middle. Patacsil brought in the next two runners the exact same way, making it 4-0 early.
The Pilots would strike again in the third inning. This time, Henry Muench got things going with an RBI double. Patacsil followed that up with his third RBI of the day, sneaking another hit through the left side to bring home Muench. Just three innings in, Portland had built a substantial lead.
Portland didn't stop the scoring their scoring there. After three scoreless innings, the Pilots made up for it and then some with four runs. Boetto earned the first run with an RBI double. Tsukada and Muench each added to that total with RBI singles. Spencer Scott brought in the final run to make it 10-0 Pilots. That proved to be the final after seven innings.
The Pilots will be back in the Pacific Northwest for their upcoming game against the Washington Huskies. They'll play their Pac-12 opponent in Seattle on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
