New Mexico State Thumps Portland, 10-1

The Pilots were hurt by two errors, which led to five unearned runs.

Photo courtesy: University of Portland Athletics

FRESNO, Calif. - Portland lost for just the second time in the past eight games as the New Mexico State Aggies handed the Pilots a 10-1 defeat on the fourth day of the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic at Beiden Field on Thursday.

The Pilots were hurt by two errors, which led to five unearned runs.

The Pilots are now 2-2 at the Fresno State tournament and are 12-6 overall. The Aggies are also 2-2 in Fresno and improve to 7-5 on the season.

New Mexico State’s win was keyed by a seven-run third inning, which broke open a scoreless game. After striking out five of the game’s first seven batters, Portland starter David Gruener (1-2) was touched for seven runs in the top of the third, only two of which were earned. With two outs, Marcus Quade and Chris Auten both knocked in a run to make it 2-0 New Mexico State.

The Pilots then made their first error of the inning to keep the Aggies’ rally alive. Following a bases-loaded walk that forced in a run, Bryan Marquez smacked a two-run single to center field to make it 5-0. After another run scored on another UP error, Trevor Bloom knocked in New Mexico State’s seventh run of the frame.

Gruener found his rhythm from there and followed the third with four scoreless innings. He finished with eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work.

Heath Goin (1-0) picked up the win for the Aggies after pitching seven scoreless innings. He scattered seven hits, three each to Portland junior OF Bryant Kraus and freshman 2B Riley Henricks, and struck out five. Goin did not allow a walk.

Kraus also picked up Portland’s lone RBI of the day when NMSU reliever Oliver Webster plunked him with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Webster would settle down to end the game.

Previously, the Aggies picked up two more runs in the top of the eighth inning and another in the top of the ninth off of freshman reliever Tyler Thompson, who pitched the final two innings.

The Aggies outhit the Pilots 12-8 on the day.

Portland next continues play at the Pepsi/Johnny Quick Classic on Friday against the Indiana Hoosiers at 10:00 a.m.

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