STOCKTON, Calif. – After taking down Fresno state in thrilling fashion on Wednesday, the Pacific baseball team (7-7) will aim to continue their winning ways this weekend when they open West Coast Conference play by hosting the Portland Pilots (7-8).
SERIES DETAILS:
Friday, March 19, 2021
Portland at Pacific | 6:00 p.m. PST
Klein Family Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers:
Hayden Pearce, RHP (1-1, 2.35 ERA) vs. Christian Peters, RHP (2-2, 3.33 ERA)
Links:
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Live Stats
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Portland at Pacific | 5:00 p.m. PST
Klein Family Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers:
Hunter Hayes, RHP (0-1, 4.40 ERA) vs. Bradley McVay, LHP (2-0, 1.50 ERA)
Links:
Watch |
Live Stats
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Portland at Pacific | 1:00 p.m. PST
Klein Family Field Field | Stockton, Calif.
Probable Pitchers:
Henrik Reinertsen, RHP (1-1, 3.09 ERA) vs. Ky Bush, LHP (0-1, 2.57 ERA)
Links:
Watch |
Live Stats
THINGS TO KNOW:
- Despite dropping their first three games of the series to Saint Mary's last weekend, the Tigers have now won two games in a row after securing a 7-5 comeback win over the Gaels on Sunday, Mar. 14 before hanging on to defeat Fresno State on Wednesday, Mar. 17, 3-2.
- Overall, Pacific is hitting .270 as a team through 14 games, good for fourth in the WCC, while also tying Santa Clara for fourth in on-base percentage with a .347 clip.
- Individually, junior James Arakawa has formed into one of the most feared hitters in the conference, leading the club in batting average (.467), slugging percentage (.556), and on-base percentage (.509). In the WCC, the second baseman currently ranks first in batting average, fourth in hits (21), fourth in on-base percentage (.509), fifth in stolen bases (3) and eighth in slugging percentage (.556). On the mound, Pearce is seventh in the conference with a 2.35 ERA while junior Zach Patterson and fifth year student Nick Swanson are tied for fourth with 2 saves each.
- Over their last ten games, the Tigers are 7-3 against the Pilots, including a 6-5 win over Portland in their last visit to Stockton on May 17, 2019.
SCOUTING THE PILOTS:
- Last week, Portland swept a four game home series over Utah Valley as junior Eli Morse picked up saves in three straight games. After moving to the bullpen this offseason, the right hander has dazzled with 12.0 scoreless innings of relief, tallying 11 total strikeouts with just four hits and one walk allowed. Overall, his five saves in 2021 are tied for the most in Division I.
- As a pitching staff, the Pilots have shown to be dominant on the rubber, as they currently lead the WCC in ERA (3.46), WHIP (1.13) and shutouts (3). Friday's projected starter Christian Peters has 24 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched, including a career-high 11 strikeouts in seven shutout innings to defeat Utah Valley last weekend. Additionally, Saturday's starter Bradley McVay has put together back-to-back quality starts to solidify his spot in the rotation as he also struck out a career-high 11 batters in six innings last Saturday against Utah Valley.
- Prior to the start of the season, the Pilots tied Pepperdine for the most players (4) on the All-WCC Preseason Team as Peters, shortstop Chad Stevens, first baseman Tracye Tammaro and outfielder Jake Holcroft were all honored. As a team, Portland was selected to finish seventh in the annual poll of the league's 10 head coaches.
- In the dugout, 2021 marks the sixth year for head coach Geoff Loomis whose 94 career wins already ranks third all-time in program history.
TRACK THE ACTION:
All three games of the series will be streamed live on the WCC Network. Live stats for all contests will also be available via pacifictigers.com.
FOLLOW US:
For the latest on Pacific Baseball including updates and schedule information, please follow us on Twitter (@PacificBaseball), Instagram (@PacificBaseball) and Facebook (@PacificBaseball).
