PORTLAND, Ore. -- Carter Gaston was dealing on Friday, hurling a five-hit complete-game shutout to lead the Portland Pilots over the Saint Mary's Gaels 6-0. The win means they've now secured the 2-seed in the 2024 WCC Baseball Tournament, which gives them a bye for the first round.

Gaston (11-1) went the distance for Portland (34-17, 18-5), giving up five hits, walking two and striking out six. With his 11th win on the season, he's now won more games in a single season than any other Pilot in program history. It's also the third complete game for a Pilot this year.

Offensively, the Pilots were paced by Spencer Scott, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Jack Thomson compiled a standout effort as well, going 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Brady Bean also chipped in for Portland, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double, a walk and an RBI.

With the win, the Pilots move to 34 wins on the year, which is the most they've had in a single season since 2010. Their 18 wins in WCC play are also the most they've posted ever since rejoining the WCC for baseball in 1996 and also the most they've had in any sort of conference play since 1980.

How it Happened

The Pilots took the lead for good in the first, scoring twice in the inning. Scott hit a leadoff homer, then Bean hit an RBI single to make it 2-0 Pilots.

Gaston continued to deal for Portland before he Pilots then tacked on runs in the fifth and sixth innings, with their biggest output coming in the fifth when they scored three times. Two of those three runs scored on a two-run pinch-hit single off the bat of Evan Scavotto and the other came from a solo shot from Thomson. A Ben Patacsil sac fly in the sixth inning put the score at its final.

Game Notes
» Gaston tossed a five-hit complete-game shutout for the Pilots. It's the third time a Pilot pitcher has thrown a complete game.
» With his 11th win on the year, Gaston has broken the program record for wins in a season.
» The Pilots have not had three complete games in a single year since 2015.
» Portland grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Portland's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Pilots out-hit the Gaels at a 9-5 clip.
» Portland pitchers limited Saint Mary's (CA) to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Portland pitchers faced 33 Saint Mary's (CA) hitters in the game, allowing 14 ground balls and four fly balls while striking out six.
» The Pilots drew six walks from Saint Mary's (CA) pitching.
» Scott led the Pilots at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» With 34 wins, the Pilots have posted their highest win total in a single season since 2010 and their highest under head coach Geoff Loomis.
» Portland's 18 wins in WCC play is the most since joining the conference in 1996 and the most conference wins in general since 1980.

Up Next

The Pilots play their regular season finale tomorrow at 1 p.m. against the Gaels. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.

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