By David Thompson Staff Writer thompson10@up.edu
The University of Portland baseball team opened the 2009 season with a 2-1 series win over the Wolverines of Utah Valley University at Joe Etzel field last weekend.
The Pilots opened with a 4-2 victory on Friday and then went on to split a double-header Saturday winning 7-2 in the first game before falling 6-5 in 11 innings in the series finale.
"It's always nice to win the series," senior Bryant Kraus said. "But I think the feeling we had after the game we lost says more about the kind of team we have than winning the series."
The disappointment from being so close to completing the sweep was evident as the last out was recorded for the Pilots.
"There was not a single guy in that locker room satisfied with winning two of three games," Kraus said.
Portland wasted little time before taking a lead over the Wolverines with a solo home run by lead-off hitter, freshman Kris Kauppila. Kauppila worked himself into a full count before unleashing a homer off of the left-field scoreboard in his first collegiate at-bat. The next two Pilots struck out before Kraus singled through the left side of the infield. Designated hitter and senior Chase Powell then drove Kraus in with a double to center field.
"We started all three games by scoring to get an early lead and I think when you do that you are sending a message that they better be ready to play," Kraus said. "It gives our hitters and pitchers a lot of confidence while putting the pressure on them."
Utah Valley responded by tying the game in the third inning. The game stayed deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth when Kraus again singled. Powell then stepped up and hit a line-drive shot over the right-center field fence to give the Pilots a 4-2 advantage that would remain through the final three innings.
Senior Mark Triolo gave up two runs on five hits during his six innings to get the win. Junior Ed Wakefield and sophomore Brent Miller finished the games giving up a combined one hit in three innings of relief work.
Portland followed up Friday's win with a trouncing of Utah Valley in the first game of the double-header.
After sophomore Scott Burris pitched a nearly perfect first inning, he got some support from the Pilots offense when they recorded three first inning runs.
The offense was again started by Kauppila when he led off with a double down the right field line. A bunt single by sophomore Craig Smith sent Kauppila to third. Sophomore Riley Henricks then popped out to right field. Kauppila tagged and scored to give the Pilots an early lead. Kraus then increased the lead by hitting his first home run of the season.
"It was nice to be able to provide some offense early in the game and sort of set the tone for the rest of the day," Kraus said.
The Pilots then added one more run in the second and three more in the fifth including a home run by Henricks to secure the win. Burris pitched seven innings giving up no earned runs and striking out four in his first ever colligate start. Sophomore Zach Varce pitched two innings in relief giving up one run on three hits.
The Pilots put themselves in prime position to complete the sweep when they once again scored three runs in the first inning of the second game on a three RBI, bases loaded double from Kraus. After both teams scored in the fifth the Pilots held a 5-2 lead. Portland then allowed the Wolverines back into the game by committing two costly errors that led to three runs for the visitors.
"Every player knows that some of the mistakes we made this weekend could cost us a series in WCC play, but that's what a preseason schedule is for- improving," Kraus said.
The game then became a pitching duel between three Utah Valley pitches and Bryant Kraus's younger brother freshman Kyle Kraus. Both teams were held scoreless for the next five innings. In the top of the 11th Utah Valley's Jake Rickenbach doubled down the right field line. The shot drove in Sage Thorpe, who was on first, to give the Wolverines their first lead of the weekend. Kyle Kraus then worked his way out of the inning.
The Pilots looked to extend the game with a leadoff double from Smith. The Pilots failed to drive him home and ended up leaving two runners on base in the final inning.
While the Pilots were plagued by spotty defense and could not find the timely hit in the final game, there were bright spots on the field. The offensive skill was displayed in all three games and the pitching was outstanding only giving up a total of five earned runs on the weekend.
"Without a doubt our pitching was our biggest strength this weekend," Kyle Kraus said. "Every pitcher we put out there did exactly what they were asked to do."
Portland's game against George Fox University that was originally scheduled for Feb. 24 was postponed due to weather. The Pilots continue the season tonight when they open a three game set against Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah Portland's next home game will take place March 6 with a three game series against UC Davis.
