PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland scored five unanswered runs late but the comeback came up short in a 7-5 loss to the Pacific Tigers in Thursday's West Coast Conference series opener at Joe Etzel Field. The Pilots rallied despite just one hit on the night.
Ky Hoskinson was a bright spot out of the bullpen for the Pilots (25-25, 11-14 WCC), going four shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking one and striking out two. Grady Keljo tossed a scoreless ninth as well for Portland
Sophomore Aaron Lewis picked up a pair of RBI's for the Pilots, while Cole Katayama Stall went 1-for-3 with a run, RBI and walk.
Zach Todd (5-2) was stellar on the mound for the Tigers (23-26-1, 15-9-1 WCC) as he did not allow a hit through the first six innings. He finished his seven innings allowing just the one hit with two walks and two runs while striking out five. Regan Carter earned his second save with two shutout innings and three strikeouts in relief.
Sophomore Trey Swygart (5-2) started and took the loss on the mound for Portland.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers scored five runs in the third and added a two-run homer from Robert Orr in the fifth inning to take control early.
The Pilots broke up Todd's no-hitter in the sixth and pulled back two runs. After a leadoff walk to Brady Bean and hit by pitch of Joseph Fagan, Katayama Stall singled to right field to plate the first run. Louis then hit a sacrifice fly scoring Fagan to make it 7-2.
Portland made Pacific nervous in the eighth inning as the Tigers struggled to find the strike zone. The first four batters of the frame reach via walk and a wild pitch made it 7-4. Louis hit another sac fly to make it 7-5 and then Swygart walked before Carter struck out the next two batters to thwart the rally.
Carter set the Pilots down in order in the ninth to secure the win.
GAME NOTES
» Portland scored five runs on just one hit and committed two errors.
» Pacific collected seven runs on 10 hits with no errors.
» Portland pitchers faced 38 Pacific hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out five.
» The Pilots drew seven walks from Pacific pitching.
» Both teams left four runners on base.
» Sophomore Cole Katayama-Stall led the Pilots at the plate, going 1 for 3 with an RBI.
» Pacific had eight different batters record a hit.
Up Next
The series continues Friday with a 6 p.m. first pitch and concludes with Senior Day on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Joe Etzel Field.
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