The Portland Pilots baseball team secured a 4-3 victory over the Loyola Marymount University Lions on March 22, completing a series sweep and extending their winning streak to six games. The Pilots now hold a 14-7 overall record and are undefeated in West Coast Conference play at 3-0.
This win marks Portland’s twelfth victory in their last fourteen games, highlighting a strong run for the team this season. The game was decided in the ninth inning when the Pilots scored two runs to overcome a one-run deficit.
Will Labonte started on the mound for Portland, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six batters—just one short of his career high. Morgan Codron earned his first win of the year after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, and Alex Via recorded his fourth save of the season.
Offensively, Gage Bruce contributed with his first home run of the year as part of a 1-for-3 performance. Cole Katayama-Stall led the team with two hits in three at-bats and scored once. Jonas Salk added an RBI with a sacrifice fly, while Cody Nitowitz drove in another run with an RBI single.
The Pilots opened scoring in the fourth inning before LMU responded with a bases-clearing double to take a 3-1 lead. Bruce’s solo home run narrowed the gap in the sixth inning, setting up Portland’s decisive rally in the ninth. Troy Osborne tied the game with a sacrifice fly, followed by Nitowitz’s go-ahead single.
Looking ahead, Portland will host Northwestern Wildcats at Joe Etzel Field on March 23 at 6 p.m., continuing their current homestand.
