HILLSBORO, Ore. – University of Portland used a six-run third inning to lift the Pilots to an 11-1 win over Utah Valley University on Saturday afternoon at Ron Tonkin Field in Hillsboro, Oregon. 
 
With the game all tied up at 1-1 in the early stages, the Pilots responded with a six-run third inning that featured a two-run double to left center from Chad Stevens who would end up with five RBIs on the day, which included two doubles. The Pilots would extend the lead later in the inning with RBI singles from Sean Mulcare and Nich Klemp to break open the game for the Pilots at 7-1. 
 
The win clinched the series for UP and improved the Pilots season record to 6-1. The loss drops the UVU to 1-7 on the year. The Wolverines took the opener on Thursday behind six innings from Jesse Schmit and a 3-for-5 performance from Mitch Moralez, but UP responded to win the next three to take the non-conference series. 
 
Trailing 1-0, Utah Valley would start a threat in the third as Kade Poulsen singled to center to lead-off the inning and later moved to second a wild pitch. Andrew Hacker was able to reach on a bunt single back to the pitcher, moving Poulsen to third. Moralez would drive in Poulsen with a clutch one-out RBI single to left to even the game at 1-1. 
 
With Portland holding to a 7-1 lead in the fifth, the Pilots would put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fifth with a four-run frame to an 11-1 advantage. Ben Patacsil started the scoring in the inning with an RBI single to increase the Pilot lead to 8-1. The next batter Jake Holcroft, who ended going a perfect 4-for-4 on the day, would get his third hit of the contest with an RBI single to left to bring home Hunter Cheney. Stevens would cap the scoring with a two-run double to left to make it 11-1 Pilots. 
 
The Wolverines were led offensively by Moralez who was 2-for-3 on the day. UVU also had hits from Jeff Arens, Poulsen and Hacker in the contest. Pedro Perdomo went three innings in relief allowing just one hit with three strikeouts to lead the way on the mound on the day for the Wolverines.
 
Caleb Franzen (1-0) earned the win on the mound after allowing just one run over five innings of work, while Mason Gray was tagged with the loss (0-1).
 
The Wolverines will now head to Northern California to take on San José State in four-game series next weekend. The Spartans were picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the Mountain West Preseason poll. The first game on the weekend tilt will start at 7:00 p.m. MT/6:00 p.m. PT on Friday night from Excite Field and will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network.