LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The Pilots got off to a strong start in the 2024 WCC Tournament with a 16-7 win over the Saint Mary's Gaels.
Nick Brink was dominant on Thursday, fanning 13 Saint Mary's hitters. In addition to his 13 strikeouts, Brink (10-4) went 5.2 innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on seven hits and walking four for Portland (36-17). His 13 strikeouts match a career high.
Offensively, the Pilots were paced by Jake Holcroft, who went 3-for-5 on the day with a home run and five RBI's. Zach Toglia compiled a standout performance as well, going 3-for-5 with three doubles and three RBI's. Christian Cooney also chipped in for Portland, putting together three hits in five trips to the plate while adding four RBI's.
With 36 wins on the season, the Pilots have tied the program record for wins in a year, matching the total set in 1980. With 12 wins in a row, the Pilots have officially put together the longest winning streak in program history.
How it Happened
The Pilots started the scoring in the second inning, with Cooney scoring an RBI single for the Pilots to make it 1-0 Portland. The Pilots added on to that lead with five runs in the third. Cooney drove in two more runs with a single after Toglia brought home two with a double. Holcroft finished off the scoring in the inning with an RBI single.
Holcroft struck again with an RBI single in the fourth inning. Bean added to the total, bringing home two runs with a single to make it 9-0 Portland after four innings.
Saint Mary's bounced back with a three-run homer, but Portland quickly responded in the fifth. Holcroft hit a three-run homer of his own and Jonas Salk scored on a wild pitch to make it 13-3 Portland.
The Gaels added two runs in the sixth, but Holcroft once again brought home a runner on a fielder's choice in the seventh. In the eighth, Toglia hit his third double of the day to score a runner, then Cooney scored Toglia soon after to give Portland 16 runs. Saint Mary's added two more before the day was done, but the Pilots still cruised to a 16-7 victory.
Game Notes
» Portland got three-hit games from three different hitters: Holcroft, Toglia and Cooney.
» Portland got an outstanding power hitting day from Toglia, who reached safely with three doubles. It's the most doubles any Pilot has hit in a single game this year.
» Brink struck out 13 Gaels hitters, matching his career high for the second straight game. He is just the second Pilot ever to reach 130 strikeouts in a season.
» Holcroft's five RBI's are tied for the most by any Pilot this year. His 48 RBI's on the year are the most by a Pilot since 2003.
» The Portland pitching staff combined to strike out 16 Saint Mary's hitters.
» The Pilots had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Gaels 1-0 in the bottom of the second.
» Five Pilots had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Pilots had a total of 16 hits.
» The Pilots out-hit the Gaels at a 16-9 clip.
» Portland went 9-for-17 (.529) with runners in scoring position.
» Portland pitchers faced 45 Saint Mary's (CA) hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out 16.
» The Pilots drew five walks from Saint Mary's (CA) pitching.
» Portland's 36 wins are the most they've posted in a single season since 1980. They are one away from breaking the program record.
» The Pilots have also earned 20 wins against WCC opponents, which is also their highest total ever in a single season.
» Portland has won 12 games in a row and 13 of their last 14. This is the longest winning streak in program history.
Up Next
The Pilots take on the San Diego Toreros tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. Winner advances to the WCC Tournament Championship. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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