Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Freshman outfielder Turner Gill went 3-for-4 and three Portland pitchers held Seattle to just three hits as the Pilots cruised to an 11-3 victory over the Redhawks in a non-conference baseball game at Joe Etzel Field on Friday afternoon. Portland collected 14 hits during the win, which allowed the Pilots to even their overall record at 10-10 on the year.
After spotting the Redhawks (9-9) a run in the top of the first inning, the Pilots exploded for nine runs in the second to take control of the game. Gill had two hits during the outburst, the second of which was a two-run single to right field. Senior 3B Matt Mardesich and senior 2B Riley Henricks each added an RBI double and sophomore 1B Brian Frattali notched a two-run single during the frame, which saw 13 hitters come to the plate.
The Redhawks crossed the dish twice in the top of the fourth inning to pull within 9-3, but the Pilots responded with two in the bottom of the fifth. After Frattali singled and stole second, junior OF Kramer Scott picked up an RBI with a base hit to left. Scott then advanced to second before scoring on a single by senior DH Kevin Armijo, giving Portland the eight-run cushion.
Brent Miller (3-1) didn’t allow a batter to reach base during 4.0 innings of scoreless relief. The senior right-hander was in complete control as he struck out a pair.
Miller spelled starter Keeler Brynteson after 3.0 innings, while Portland’s All-American senior closer Chris Dennis got in a little work, tossing the final two frames. Dennis followed Miller’s lead by not allowing a Seattle hitter to reach base. He also struck out two.
Arlo Evasick (0-2) gets the loss after allowing eight of UP’s 11 runs. He surrendered six hits and walked one in an inning and two-thirds. Four relievers followed Evasick on the mound, with Eric Yardley giving up three runs.
Armijo, Mardesich, Henricks and Frattali each registered two hits for Portland, while Matt Comer led the Redhawks with two hits of his own.
The Pilots next hit the road where they’ll face northwest rival Washington in Seattle on Tuesday. The Pilots and Huskies are scheduled to play at 5:00 p.m. at Husky Ballpark. UP then moves on to Omaha, Neb., for a three-game series against the Creighton Bluejays next weekend.
