Baseball:
Starting on Friday, April 5, Pilot baseball played a three-game home series against the University of the Pacific. In the opening game on Friday, the Pilots clinched a 7-2 victory, credited largely to pitcher Nick Brink's nine strikeouts, earning him his third WCC Pitcher of the Week Award.
The Pilots played the second game of the series on Saturday, April 6, winning 12-1. Pilot pitcher Carter Gaston struck out eight batters over seven innings, playing a pivotal role in guiding the Pilots toward success.
In the series finale on Sunday, April 7, the Pilots completed a series sweep, beating the University of the Pacific 4-2. Pilot pitcher Sam Stuhr dominated throughout the game, pitching 13 strikeouts, a career-high and season-high for the Pilots. His performance from the mound earned him a WCC Pitcher of the Week award. The Pilots then traveled to play Oregon State University on Tuesday, April 9, and lost 11-8.
Pilot baseball played a three-game home series against the University of San Diego over the weekend starting on Friday, April 12. They lost the opener 10-4, but were able to clinch the series by winning 5-1 on Saturday, April 14 and 13-4 on Sunday, April 15.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Pilots traveled to play the University of Washington and lost 11-2. The loss brings the Pilots’ overall record to 22-12 and their WCC record to 8-1. Pilot Ben Patacsil was named WCC Player of the Week for his two home runs and 10 runs batted in (RBIs).
Next, the Pilots will travel to play Gonzaga University on Friday, April 19, in a three-game series over the weekend.
Nick Brink pitching a strike against San Diego.
Men’s tennis:
Men’s tennis traveled to play against the University of California, Davis on Friday, April 5, and won four matches to two, picking up their ninth win of the season. Just before the game, Pilots Nicolas Ocana and Nikola Keremedchiev were named WCC Doubles Team of the Week for their recent performances.
On Saturday, April 6, the Pilots traveled to play the University of the Pacific and lost four matches to one.
The Pilots traveled to play the University of San Diego on Saturday, April 13 and lost 4-0. Next, they traveled to play Pepperdine University and lost 4-2. The Pilots’ overall record now stands at 9-8 with their WCC record standing at 3-4.
The Pilots will now return home to play Santa Clara University in their final match of the 2024 WCC spring tennis season on Friday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s tennis:
Pilots Rimona Rouf and Alaia Rubio Perez were named WCC Doubles Team of the Week in recognition of their recent performances. They played a pivotal role in an important home match on Saturday, April 6, beating Loyola Marymount University’s Anastasia Bozova and Romane Longueville 6-3. The Pilots emerged victorious, winning four matches to one.
The Pilots played Pepperdine University at home on Saturday, April 13, and lost 7-0. Next, they returned home to face off against the University of San Diego but lost 4 matches to 3. The losses bring the Pilots’ overall record to 10-10 and their WCC record to 3-4.
Women’s tennis will now return home to play the University of the Pacific in their final match of the 2024 WCC spring tennis season on Saturday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s rowing:
The Pilots hosted the Pilot/Pioneer Invite at Vancouver Lake in Washington on Saturday, April 6. Led by coxswain Leahbelle Paladino and stroke Julia Kiplinger, the second varsity eight team earned a first-place finish with a time of 8:37.20. The open four team and first varsity eight team both took second in their respective heats.
Pilots rowing will now travel to compete at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships starting on Saturday, April 27.
Beach Volleyball:
Pilots beach volleyball traveled to Hawai’i to play the University of Hawai’i at Manoa on Saturday, April 13, and lost in a 5-0 decision. Staying in Hawai’i, the Pilots faced off against Grand Canyon University on Sunday, April 14, and lost 5-0.
In their last two games of the competition in Hawai’i, the Pilots picked up two wins, beating the Chaminade University of Honolulu 3-2 and sweeping Hawai’i Pacific University 5-0. The Pilots’ overall record now sits at 10-10, making it the first time in program history that Pilot beach volleyball has reached ten wins.
Next, the Pilots will return home to play the University of Oregon on Friday, April 19 at 12:00 p.m.
Sophie Lee spikes the ball during a home game. Photo courtesy of Portland Pilots Digital Media.
Men and Women’s Track and Field:
Starting on Friday, April 12, Pilots track and field traveled to compete at the 2024 Bryan Clay Invitational.
Pilots Courtney Klatt, Mie Nielson, Nolan Hosbein, Daniel Racle, Sully Nordheim, Yutaka Roberts, Maebh Richardson, Tait Rowley, Stina Pettersson, Aidan Fitzgerald, Trey Gannon and Nate Lantz all posted Personal Records (PRs) in their respective races.
Pilots track and field’s next weekend of races will be on Friday, April 26 at Oregon State University’s High-Performance competition.
Aidan Hyde is a sports reporter at The Beacon. He can be reached at hydea25@up.edu.
