LAS CRUCES, NM -- The runs came early and often for the Portland Pilots, who broke through for an 18-8 win in seven innings over the New Mexico State Aggies. The win ties the series.
Carter Gaston (1-4) got his first win of the year for Portland (6-13). The right-hander went four innings, giving up six runs on five hits, allowing four walks and striking out two. Curtis Hebert pitched three innings as well, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
The bats were explosive for Portland, with Jonas Salk starring at the plate for Portland. The shortstop went 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk in addition to his four RBI's for the Pilots. Cole Katayama-Stall compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three RBI's. Tyler Howard and Doyle Kane also helped out for Portland, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding three RBI's each. Zach Toglia and Nolan Miller also each went 2-for-4 with one RBI while Cody Nitowitz was 2-for-5 with two RBI's.
How it Happened
The Pilots scored five runs in the opening frame, setting the tone early. Brady Bean, Kane and Salk had RBI hits, highlighted by the three-run bomb from Salk. It was Salk's fourth of the year, a team-high for Portland.
Kane brought in another runner for Portland while Toglia hit a sac fly in the second inning to make it 7-0 Portland. The Aggies responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, but the Pilots didn't waver, adding five more in the third. Howard, Katayama-Stall and Salk all had RBI singles while Miller hit a sac fly to make it 12-3 Portland.
The Aggies scored a run before the Pilots got back on the board in the fourth, scoring on a sacrifice fly from Kane. The Aggies homered in the bottom of the fourth before Portland added two more in the fifth, including an RBI single from Howard, to make it 15-6 Pilots.
The Pilots and Aggies traded runs in the bottom of the fifth and top of the sixth to make 16-7. Portland got an RBI off a grounder from Cody Nitowitz and a home run from Katayama-Stall to round out their scoring. The Aggies added one more to settle it at an 18-8 final.
Game Notes
» Portland got three-hit games from both Howard and Kane. This is the second three-hit game for Howard and the first for Kane.
» Salk drove in four runs for Portland. He went 2-for-3 overall at the plate with a home run.
» Salk's homer was his fourth of the year and second of the series. He leads the Pilots in homers this season.
» Katayama-Stall's homer was his third of the year. That's the most by a Pilot true freshman in a single season already since 2021.
» Every Portland starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Pilots twice posted five-run innings, doing so in the first and third innings. Their 18 runs are a season-high.
» Seven Pilots had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Pilots out-hit the Aggies at a 17-9 clip.
» Portland went 8-for-20 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Portland pitchers faced 38 New Mexico State hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and two fly balls while striking out five.
» The Pilots drew nine walks from New Mexico State pitching.
» New Mexico State was led offensively by freshman Tommy Meluskey, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
» The win snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Pilots
Up Next
The Pilots and Aggies play the rubber match tomorrow at 10 a.m. PST. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and audio options.
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