The Portland Pilots dropped a 7-5 decision to the Pacific Tigers in the opening game of their West Coast Conference series, a result that left the Pilots searching for answers after a promising late rally.
Pacific seized control early, exploding for five runs in the third inning and extending the lead with a two‑run homer in the fifth, putting the Tigers firmly ahead.
Portland answered in the sixth, breaking up starter Zach Todd’s shutout with a timely hit that sparked a two‑run burst, and the Pilots kept the pressure alive into the eighth, where they plated two more to narrow the gap.
The rally was anchored by solid contributions from the lineup, including a clutch RBI from Aaron Lewis and a 1‑for‑3 effort by Cole Katayama Stall that added a run and a walk.
On the mound, Ky Hoskinson delivered four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out two, and Grady Keljo capped the game with a clean ninth inning, but the Pilots’ comeback fell short.
Zach Todd, the Tigers’ workhorse, tossed seven innings of one‑hit baseball, walking two and fanning five, while reliever Regan Carter sealed the win with two shutout frames and three strikeouts.
Despite the effort, Portland finished with just one hit off Todd, committed two errors, and left four runners on base, while the Tigers collected ten hits and seven runs with no miscues.
The game featured a flurry of activity, including seven walks issued by Pacific pitchers and a combined 38 hitters faced by Pilots arms, but the final score remained 7‑5 in favor of the Tigers.
Key Performances
The Pilots’ pitching staff faced 38 Pacific hitters, inducing 12 fly balls and seven grounders while striking out five, a testament to their effort despite the loss.