SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Portland Pilots got a go-ahead single from Spencer Scott in the top of the ninth and held on the rest of the way to win their season opener 5-4 against the San Diego State Aztecs.
Sophomore Curtis Hebert (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Portland (1-0) while sophomore Tanner Douglas earned the save. Hebert went one inning, giving up one run on two hits, allowing no walks and striking out one. Starter Nick Brink was electric on the mound for Portland, throwing six shutout innings while allowing just three hits, walking one and striking out nine.
In the batter's box, the Pilots were led by Scott, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a walk and an RBI. He was one of three Pilots to record a hit on the night, with sophomores Brady Bean and Jonas Salk each going 1-for-4 and Salk earning the RBI on his hit.
The win wasn't special for just being the first of the season. The win was also the 500th of Portland head coach Geoff Loomis's career.
How it Happened
Portland recorded their first two runs of the year before recording a hit. The Pilots started the scoring in the fourth inning, pushing two runs accross off a walk and a hit batter. It gave them a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.
The Pilots held the Aztecs scoreless before expanding their lead in the seventh inning. Salk's run-scoring single highlighted an inning where Portland scored twice, which brought the score to 4-0 in favor of the Pilots.
San Diego State fired back with one run in the seventh and three in the eighth to even the ballgame at four. But with two runners on, the Pilots scored Evan Scavotto from second on an RBI single off the bat of Scott. The score remained 5-4 for the rest of the game, as Portland held on for the win.
Game Notes
» Brink struck out nine Aztecs hitters, tying a career best.
» Every Portland starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Portland pitching staff combined to strike out 12 San Diego State hitters.
» Brink has not allowed an earned run in 15 straight appearances dating back to last season. He is the first Pilot to not allow an earned run in a season opener since Jordan Wilcox in 2016.
» The Pilots drew 12 walks from San Diego State pitching. It's the most walks they've had in a single game since 2022.
» Scott led the Pilots at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. He was the only Pilot batter to record multiple hits on the night.
» The Pilots scored their first two runs before recording a single hit.
» Friday's win was the 500th of Geoff Loomis's career.
Up Next
The Pilots and Aztecs will be back at it tomorrow at 6 p.m. There will be no stream, but live stats are available at PortlandPilots.com.
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