PORTLAND, Utah – A two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning was the difference as BYU fell to Portland 3-1 in game three of its West Coast Conference series on Saturday at Joe Etzel Field.
"When you face a good team like Portland, the difference between winning and losing is razor thin," BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. "They got a big hit, and our hitters weren’t willing to make adjustments against their pitching staff. They were just tougher than us today.”
With two down and bases empty in the first inning, a single through the right side and a base-on-balls set up the three-run home run by Briley Knight to give Portland (14-5, 2-1) an early 3-0 lead.
Both teams went scoreless over the next three innings before BYU (10-7, 1-2) got on the board in the top of the fifth with a two-out home run by shortstop Brock Watkins. The Cougars had other scoring opportunities in the game but were unable to push across runs in what turned into a pitching duel.
Pilot starter Eli Morse (4-0) went six innings for the win. Portland pitchers combined to surrendered just two hits, while striking out 12. BYU pitching was also effective striking out nine and giving up just four hits after the first inning. Ryan Brady took the loss and is now 1-1 on the season.
Up next for BYU is UVU at UCCU Ballpark in Orem, Utah on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m. MDT. The Cougars will then play host to No. 24 ranked Gonzaga, March 24-26 at Miller Park in Provo. Game times are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (Thursday), 6:00 p.m. (Friday) and 1:00 p.m. (Saturday).
Thursday’s game will be broadcast on the BYUtv App, while the Friday and Saturday games will be broadcast live on BYUtv and the BYUtv app. All three contests will be also broadcast live on the BYU Radio Network—107.9 FM, BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app.