OMAHA, Neb. -- Jake Holcroft racked up four RBI's and crossed 250-hit mark for his career to help propel the Portland Pilots over the Omaha Mavericks 7-5 on Wednesday. The victory extended Portland's winning streak to four.
Morgan Codron (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Portland (7-3). The right-hander had a career night, going four shutout innings and giving up just three hits with one walk while striking out six. His strikeout total was a career high, and it was also his first career win. Carter Gaston earned the save after pitching in the ninth.
Holcroft went 3-for-5 with a grand slam for the Pilots. Zach Toglia and Brady Bean were the only other two Pilots to record RBI's on the day. Jonas Salk also chipped in for Portland, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate.
How it Happened
The Pilots were already trailing 3-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Portland's offense shellshocked the Mavericks in the inning, culminating in a grand slam from Holcroft. Toglia hit an RBI double to make it 5-3 Portland in the second.
The Mavericks failed to push any runs across before the Portland offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Salk came across on a sacrifice fly to score the lone run of the inning for Portland, which brought the Pilots lead to 6-3.
Portland kept Omaha without a run before building their lead to 7-3 in the fifth inning, taking advantage of an error from Omaha. The Mavericks put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Portland still held on for the 7-5 win.
Game Notes
» Holcroft picked up three base hits in the game for Portland. He now has 252 for his career and is just five away from tying the school record for hits in a career and six away from breaking it.
» Holcroft drove in four runs for Portland, tied for the most by any Pilot this season. Holcroft's home run was his second of the year.
» Codron struck out six Mavericks hitters, a career high. Codron also recorded his first ever win.
» Portland's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed five runs across.
» The Pilots had control of the rest of the game after jumping ahead of the Mavericks 5-3 in the top of the second.
» Portland pitchers faced 45 Omaha hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out 10.
» This is the fourth straight win for Portland.
» Ben Patacsil is the third Pilot ever to reach 40 hit by pitch for their career.
Up Next
The Pilots take on the Creighton Bluejays this weekend for a three-game series in Omaha. The first game is this Friday, March 8 at 4 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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