LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Portland Pilots scored two unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a tie and held on to defeat the Loyola Marymount Lions 4-3 on Sunday evening, completing a three-game road sweep at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

In a game defined by pitching changes and a single, decisive offensive outburst for each team, the Pilots (14-7) capitalized on a critical Loyola Marymount error in the final frame to secure the victory. The Lions (7-19) saw their late-game bullpen work unravel due to the defensive miscue.

Portland starter William Labonte was the top star for the visitors, delivering a gritty performance over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, walking four and striking out six. Labonte, who also earned a win against Connecticut the previous Sunday with a similar line of 5 1/3 innings and three earned runs, navigated trouble early before a rocky fourth inning.

The Pilots struck first in the fourth. Trey Swygart led off with a double down the right-field line, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly by J. Salk to give Portland a 1-0 lead.

That advantage was short-lived, as Loyola Marymount answered forcefully in the bottom half of the inning against Labonte. With two outs, Winfield Gurney doubled and Zachary Wadas walked. J. Dunn then loaded the bases with an infield single. Nate Stiveson cleared them with a three-run double to right field, giving the Lions a 3-1 lead and marking the most important offensive sequence of the game for the home team.

Portland immediately chipped away in the sixth. Gage Bruce led off the inning with a solo home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and chasing Lions starter Avery Laine. Laine finished with two earned runs allowed on four hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The game then evolved into a bullpen duel. Following Stiveson’s double, Labonte and relievers Morgan Codron and Alexander Via combined to retire 15 of the final 17 Loyola Marymount batters, allowing no hits over the last 4 2/3 innings. Codron was particularly effective, striking out three in 2 2/3 perfect innings of relief to earn the win.

Loyola Marymount reliever Alec Johnson kept the Pilots at bay through the seventh and eighth, but the ninth inning brought defensive misfortune. Pinch-hitter L. Kauffman singled and was erased on a fielder’s choice. Cole KatayamaStall then singled to center field, but the ball was misplayed, allowing J. Salk to score from first and KatayamaStall to advance to third, tying the game at 3-3.

The next batter, pinch-hitter T. Osborne, delivered a sacrifice fly to score KatayamaStall with the go-ahead, unearned run. C. Nitowitz added an RBI single for an insurance run, though the error had already allowed the decisive score.

Via entered for the bottom of the ninth for Portland. After a leadoff walk, he induced a popup and a game-ending groundout from Stiveson to secure the save and the series sweep.

Portland finished with seven hits, led by KatayamaStall who went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. Loyola Marymount managed only five hits, all coming within the first five innings. The Lions’ loss extended a difficult stretch, while the Pilots won their fourth consecutive game.

Portland will host Northwestern on Tuesday. Loyola Marymount travels to face UCLA on Tuesday.