The Portland Pilots defeated the Saint Mary’s Gaels 8-5 on Mar. 28 in the second game of a three-game West Coast Conference baseball series at Joe Etzel Field. The victory saw Portland match its season-high with three home runs.
The game was significant as it allowed the Pilots (16-8, 4-1 WCC) to even the series and maintain momentum in conference play. Brady Bean, Carter Stewart, and Cole Katayama Stall each hit home runs for Portland, contributing to an offensive surge that produced eight runs on eleven hits.
Stewart recorded his first career homer and drove in three runs, while Katayama Stall went two-for-four with two RBI. Bean scored twice and walked once in addition to his solo shot. Kaden Segel earned the win out of the bullpen by pitching four-and-a-third innings with one run allowed and four strikeouts. Alex Via secured his fifth save of the season by closing out a scoreless ninth inning.
Portland took an early lead with an RBI double from Jonas Salk but trailed after Saint Mary’s scored twice in the second inning and once more in the third. The Pilots responded quickly: Bean’s solo homer started a rally, followed by Katayama Stall’s two-run home run to give them a lead they would not relinquish.
Saint Mary’s starter Talin Gardini was replaced after allowing four runs over three innings, while Sam Kretsch took the loss for giving up three more over another three innings. Diego Castellanos led Saint Mary’s offense with three hits.
The teams are scheduled to conclude their series on Sunday at Joe Etzel Field at 1 p.m.
