PORTLAND, Ore. -- Brock Gillis dominated on the mound with 10 strikeouts and Evan Scavotto brought in a clutch run late as the Portland Pilots defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles 6-5 in 10 innings.
In addition to his 10 strikeouts, Gillis threw six innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits and walking two for Portland (9-5). Kaden Segel also made an impact on the mound for the Pilots, throwing two innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on two hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.
Jake Tsukada led the way offensively for the Pilots, going 3-for-4 in the ballgame with a walk, two RBI's and three stolen bases. Senior Nich Klemp compiled a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two RBI's.
How it Happened
Trailing 1-0, the Pilots first put runs on the board in the first inning. Portland got an RBI single from Tsukada, scoring junior Jake Holcroft from second base.
The very next inning, the Pilots put runs on the scoreboard once again. Portland brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Klemp's single and another off a single from Tsukada, which brought the Pilots lead to 3-1.
Niagara narrowed Portland's lead to 3-2 before the Pilots stretched the advantage to 4-2 in the fifth inning. The Pilots scored a run on Klemp's RBI double. Junior Henry Muench crossed home plate in the sixth off a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2 Portland.
Niagara rallied to tie the ballgame at 5-5 in the ninth before Portland walked it off in the bottom of the tenth. Scavotto placed an inch-perfect bunt along the right-field line to bring Tristan Gomes home for a 6-5 victory.
Game Notes
» Tsukada had three base hits in the game for Portland, tying a season high. He also stole three
» Gillis struck out 10 Purple Eagles hitters, tying both a season and a career-high.
» The Portland pitching staff combined to strike out 15 Niagara hitters, a season high.
» Tsukada stole three bases in Saturday's game, the most by a Pilot since Jake Holcroft and Travis Turney had three each in 2020.
» The Pilots swiped six bases as a team, a season high. It's also the most they've had in a game since 2019 against Northern Colorado.
» Portland went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» Portland pitchers limited Niagara to just 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
» Portland pitchers faced 44 Niagara hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out 15.
» The Pilots drew eight walks from Niagara pitching.
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