Seattle University could not get anything going offensively, while Portland’s bats came alive as the Pilots defeated the Redhawks, 9-0, Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference collegiate baseball game at Joe Etzel Field.
Portland (1-4) jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning, starting when Michael Lucarelli drew a one-out walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Kevin Farley. After Cody Lenahan reached base on a bunt single, Farley came around to score on a single to right field by Kevin Wade.
The Pilots added to their lead thanks to home runs by Eric Sapp and Turner Gill to lead off the third and fourth innings, respectively. Portland broke the game open in the fifth inning with three runs, the first two coming on a double down the left field line by Wade that scored Farley and Lenahan.
Lenahan drove in two more runs in the sixth inning with a single up the middle that scored Lucarelli and Sapp. For the game, Portland collected 15 hits, led by Lenahan with three hits and five Pilot hitters with two hits apiece.
Portland starter Billy Sahlinger earned the victory, allowing three hits and three walks in five innings of work while striking out five batters. Pilot reliever Ryan Barr faced just one batter over the minimum in four innings on the mound, striking out four in picking up the save.
Landon Cray (Chimacum, Wash.) went 1-for-2 with two walks to lead the Redhawk offense, while three other Seattle U batters earned one hit each. Grant Gunning (Snohomish, Wash.) started the game and took the loss, giving up eight hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings on the mound while striking out four batters. Freshmen David Marshall (Kennewick, Wash.), Chris Carns (Federal Way, Wash.), and Nick Meservey (Scottsdale, Ariz.) combined to stop the Pilot attack, allowing just one hit over the final 2 1/3 innings.
Seattle University (1-4) returns to Bannerwood Park for a four-game series against Cal State Northridge, starting Friday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. Live stats and live audio for all four games will be available on GoSeattleU.com.