SPOKANE, Wash. – The Portland Pilots scored eight runs in the seventh and another run in the ninth to make a late comeback push, but Portland could not pull through against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, losing 12-11. The Pilots fall to 20-13 and 6-6 in WCC play.
 
The Pilots had 11 runs on 12 hits, with three batters recording multiple hits on the day: Cody Nitowitz, Trey Swygart and Cole Katayama-Stall. Nitowitz was 2-for-3 with three walks, Swygart 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI's and Katayama-Stall 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI's. Katayama-Stall's homer was his ninth of the year and his fifth in WCC play, the most on the Pilots, and the 18th of his career.
 
Five different Pilots made appearances on the mound for Porltand, with Alex Via ultimately taking the loss. He went two innings with three runs and three hits allowed late. Carter Gaston started but threw just two-thirds of an inning. Kaden Segel, Grady Keljo and Kaden Starr also made appearances on the mound.
 
How it Happened
 
Gonzaga scored the first four runs across the first and second innings before the Pilots got on the board. Portland scored in the third inning off a wild pitch that brought home Nitowitz to make it just 4-1 Zags. But the Bulldogs exploded for four runs in the fourth inning – including three homers – to put that lead back at 8-1 Gonzaga.
 
Portland scored on an error in the sixth before the Zags scored on a groundout in the bottom frame, with the score at 9-2 Zags entering the seventh. The Pilots exploded in the seventh, scoring eight runs, including RBI hits from Nolan Miller, Brady Bean, Swygart and Katayama-Stall. All the sudden, the Pilots were on top, leading 10-9.
 
But the lead didn't hold. Gonzaga scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to reclaim a two-run lead. Portland scored once more in the ninth on an Isaac Pfeifer single and loaded the bases with one out left, but they still fell 12-11.
 
Game Notes

• Portland had three batters record multiple hits on the day: Katayama-Stall, Nitowitz and Swygart. Swygart's 3-for-4 outing led the way.
• Katayama-Stall hit his ninth home run of the season and his fifth in WCC play on the day. His 18 for his career puts him in the top 20 all-time for Portland as a sophomore.
• Katayama-Stall's nine home runs matches his total already from last season.
• Katayama-Stall's reached base in 20 straight games. He's the only Pilot to accomplish such a feat this season.
• Nitowitz was 2-for-3 with three walks. He drew eight walks across three games for the series.
• Five pitchers made an appearance on the day, with Alex Via taking the loss. He went two innings with three runs allowed.
• Both teams combined for 23 runs and 27 hits.
• Portland scored eight runs in the seventh inning to put themselves in position to win.

 
Up Next
The Pilots will be back at it tomorrow, April 13 against the Washington State Cougars in Pullman. The two teams play at noon. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options. 

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