PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — Nolan Miller’s first-inning blast set an immediate tone and the Portland Pilots rode a powerful offensive display to a 13-3 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday at Joe Etzel Field, completing a three-game series sweep.

The game’s decisive moment came immediately after the Pilots found themselves in an early hole. Holy Cross had taken a 3-0 lead before recording an out in the top of the first, capitalizing on a series of walks and defensive miscues by Portland starter Logan Anderson. The Crusaders’ advantage was short-lived.

In the bottom half of the inning, Portland’s Cody Nitowitz walked and advanced on a wild pitch. After Derek Chun was hit by a pitch, Miller stepped to the plate with two on. The right fielder, the Pilots’ top star, launched a three-run homer to right field, instantly erasing the deficit and swinging momentum permanently in Portland’s favor. The Pilots never trailed again.

Miller, who had five RBIs in Friday’s win, finished Saturday’s game 2 for 5 with the pivotal home run and five RBIs, driving in runs in three separate at-bats. His two-run double in the sixth inning capped a four-run rally that broke the game open.

Portland’s offense was relentless, amassing 10 hits and drawing eight walks. Every batter in the Pilots’ lineup reached base at least once. Designated hitter and pitcher Trey Swygart added a solo home run and an RBI double, going 2 for 4 at the plate. Second baseman Jonas Salk was 3 for 5 with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, while Nitowitz contributed two hits and two RBIs.

On the mound, Anderson settled after a rocky start to earn the win. He pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts. Swygart then moved from DH to the mound, throwing three innings of relief and striking out five while allowing one run on three hits to close out the game.

Holy Cross, which fell to 4-10 overall, managed eight hits but struggled to sustain rallies. Catcher Van Coughlin provided a bright spot, going 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the eighth inning. Shortstop Owen Stelzer added an RBI double during a two-run fifth inning that briefly brought the Crusaders within 6-3 before Portland pulled away.

The loss extended a difficult stretch for Holy Cross, which has now dropped three straight and eight of its last ten. Portland improved to 7-6, securing its third consecutive victory and moving above .500 for the first time this season.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 5-3 Holy Cross victory, though the service’s ELO rating system gave the Pilots a 72.2% probability to win.

The teams conclude their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. Holy Cross will continue its lengthy road trip with a game at Massachusetts on Tuesday, while Portland will host Connecticut next Friday to begin another three-game set.