Patriots Take Series-Opener from Pilots

Portland avoids the shutout with a pair of runs in the ninth inning during a 13-2 Dallas Baptist win.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

PORTLAND - The Dallas Baptist Patriots topped the Portland Pilots 13-2 in a non-conference baseball game Thursday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field.

The Pilots avoided the shutout with a two-run single by sophomore catcher Paul Crowder in the ninth inning.

Portland falls to 10-11 on the season, while Dallas Baptist improves to 14-11.

DBU starter Jordan Meaker held the Pilots scoreless on five hits in 8.0 innings of work. Meaker struck out seven and only walked two.

Reliever Tyson Bagley pitched the ninth and allowed Portland’s two runs.

After retiring the first two Portland hitters, Bagley walked three straight batters.

Crowder followed with an RBI single to left field. Bagley then induced a game-ending fly out from freshman third baseman Clayton Shaw.

Portland starter David Gruener (0-2) pitched three scoreless innings before the Patriots finally broke through with two runs in the fourth. With two outs, Gruener surrendered a two-run double to Nick Santos.

The Patriots touched Gruener for four more in the top of the fifth inning. For the second straight inning, DBU scored its runs with two outs. Matt Tucker knocked in two runs during the rally.

The Patriots tallied four more in the sixth, fueled by a lead-off home run by Trevor Head.

Gruener lasted 5.1 innings in the loss.

Junior Brian Yoakum pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, senior reliever Brian Cox allowed three runs in the eighth and junior reliever Pat Geraghty pitched a scoreless ninth.

Dallas Baptist outhit Portland 15-6.

Austin Krum was 3-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored, Austin Knight knocked in three runs and Tucker, Santos and J.T. Bloodworth each drove in two.

The Pilots and Patriots next play a doubleheader on Friday at Joe Etzel Field beginning at noon.

Saturday’s game was moved up to Friday due to potential inclement weather.

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