The Portland Pilots erupted for nine runs over the final three innings to roll past the fifth-ranked Texas A&M 10-3 Friday in College Station, Texas.
The Aggies are the highest-ranked opponent and the only SEC team the Pilots have ever beaten.
Nich Klemp led the UP offense by going 2 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. Right-hander Jack Folkins (1-0) threw three shutout innings and struck out five Texas A&M hitters to earn the win. Pilots starter Joey Gartrell also struck out five while allowing two runs and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.
The Pilots (4-1) rallied in the late innings after trailing 2-0. Portland got its first run across in the fifth, then added two more in the seventh before putting up seven runs in the ninth.
The Aggies (3-2) scored on Jack Moss’ RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Next up: Portland vs. Texas A&M, noon Saturday