The Portland Pilots baseball team lost 2-1 to the Purdue Boilermakers in Sugar Land, Texas, after allowing two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. This result leaves both teams with one win each in their series.
Will Labonte made his debut for the Pilots as a relief pitcher and delivered a strong performance, pitching 5.1 innings without giving up any runs and allowing only four hits. According to team records, he is the first true freshman since at least 2000 to throw more than five scoreless innings in his debut for Portland.
Morgan Codron started on the mound for Portland, pitching 1.2 innings with two strikeouts and no hits or runs allowed. Alex Via also made his debut but took the loss after surrendering two runs over 1.2 innings while striking out three batters. Carter Gaston faced two batters during the game.
Offensively, Portland managed just five hits and scored once. Brady Bean led the team at the plate by going 2-for-4 with a double—his second consecutive game with multiple hits. Jonas Salk drove in Portland’s only run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning that brought home Gage Bruce. Dakota Chun, Bruce, and Cody Nitowitz each had one hit; Nitowitz’s was a double.
Labonte, Landon Kauffman, and Alex Via all made their collegiate debuts for Portland during this matchup.
The Pilots will play Purdue again on Sunday at 10 a.m. PST.
Fans can find live stats and audio options at PortlandPilots.com or purchase tickets for upcoming games through PortlandPilots.com/Tickets. Information about group packages is available by emailing pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.
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