Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots used a three-run seventh inning and solid pitching from starter Kyle Kraus and the bullpen to defeat the No. 15 Oregon Ducks 5-3 in a non-conference baseball game played on Tuesday night at PK Park. Portland’s All-American closer Chris Dennis retired the Ducks in order in the bottom of the ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season.

 

The Pilots improve to 5-0 on the year, while Oregon dips to 4-4.

 

With a run already in and the Pilots leading 3-1 in the top of the seventh, Portland’s Kevin Armijo bounced a two-run, two-out single up the middle with the bases loaded to give Portland a four-run lead.

 

UP would need those two runs as Oregon was able to load the bases with just one out in the bottom of the seventh. That’s when Kraus gave way to left-handed reliever Keeler Brynteson, who struck out the only batter he faced.

 

Next up was right-handed reliever Brent Miller, who wasn’t as fortunate as Oregon’s Aaron Jones tapped a two-run single through the left side to pull the Ducks within two runs. But Miller would settle down to retire the next batter on a fly-out to avoid further damage.

 

The Ducks got two more runners on base during the bottom of the eighth inning before Dennis was able to record the final four outs to pick up the save.

 

Kraus (2-0) worked a steady 6.1 innings, holding the Ducks to six hits. He was charged with all three Oregon runs, while striking out two and walking just one.

 

Portland’s Riley Henricks gave Kraus and the Pilots an early 1-0 lead with a solo home run off of Oregon starter Alex Keudell in the top of the first inning. It’s the second straight game with a homer for Henricks, who is batting a robust .471 on the year.

 

The Ducks tied it with a run in the bottom of the third inning after consecutive extra base hits with two outs scored Marcus Piazzisi.

 

Portland then reclaimed the lead with a run in the top of the fifth inning. Matt Mardesich began the inning with a single, and freshman Turner Gill followed with a hard-hit double into the right-field corner. Mardesich scored all the way from first base to give the Pilots a 2-1 advantage.

 

Keudell (0-1) was replaced in the seventh inning after giving up a one-out single to Beau Fraser. Mardesich singled to greet and chase Oregon’s Ryon Healy before Porter Clayton plunked pinch hitter Ben Grubb. Clayton then forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk that made it a 3-1 game.

 

Scott McGough, who surrendered the Armijo single, worked the final 2.2 innings and struck out five Pilots.

 

Portland out-hit the Ducks 9-8, while neither team committed an error.

 

The Pilots next head north for a quick three-game series against the Seattle Redhawks in Seattle, Wash. UP and SU are set to play at 4:00 p.m. on Friday before playing a double-header on Saturday.