PORTLAND PILOTS (11-7) AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT LIONS (7-16)

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Portland Pilots look to build on their winning momentum when they visit the Loyola Marymount Lions in a non-conference matchup Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PDT under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 88 degrees.

The Pilots (11-7) enter having won five of their last six, including a 3-1 victory over Oregon State on Tuesday. Portland also took the series opener against Loyola Marymount on Friday, 8-0.

Portland’s success has been fueled by strong pitching, a trend they hope continues behind right-hander Carter Gaston. The Pilots’ player to watch is coming off a dominant performance against Oregon State, allowing one earned run on two hits with five strikeouts over five innings. In his last two starts, Gaston has pitched 10.0 innings, surrendering just one earned run.

The Lions (7-16) seek to halt a four-game skid, having been outscored 55-23 during that stretch. Their bullpen was taxed in a 16-7 loss to Long Beach State on Tuesday.

Loyola Marymount will rely on the power of outfielder Winfield Gurney. Despite the team’s struggles, Gurney has shown flashes at the plate, hitting three home runs with six RBIs over his last seven games. He went 1-for-2 with a three-run homer in Tuesday’s loss.

According to Interstat, the Pilots are projected favorites with a 52.7% probability to win. Their game simulator predicts a 7-3 Portland victory.

The series concludes Sunday at LMU’s Page Stadium.