SAN DIEGO—Jeff Houghtby delivered the winning run on an RBI single in the 10th inning to defeat Portland, 4-3, on Thursday night at Fowler Park.
 
The Toreros (24-14, 8-8 WCC) held a 3-1 lead heading in to the seventh inning before the Pilots (20-18, 2-14 WCC) tied the game on a 2-run home run. Travis Kuhn retired 10 of the final 12 batters faced, including four strikeouts, leaving it up to the Torero bats to finish it in the 10th.
 
Tora Otsuka drew a leadoff walk to represent the winning run at first base. Connor Doyle then came in as a pinch runner before Ripken Reyes laid down a sacrifice bunt along the first base line to advance Doyle to second. Shane McGuire then hit a ground ball to the second baseman, allowing Doyle to advance again on the play.
 
With two outs, Houghtby sent an 0-1 pitch into shallow left center. Portland's left fielder made a diving play at the ball but was unable to come up with the catch, allowing Doyle to score from third and secure the walk-off victory for the Toreros—their fourth of the season.
 
Houghtby finished the day 2-for-4 while Reyes finished the day 3-for-4 with a double. Cody Jefferis gave the Toreros a 3-1 lead in the fourth with a 2-RBI double and Adam Kerner went 2-for-4 with a double and a run for USD.
 
Chris Murphy went six innings for the Toreros on the mound, allowing two runs on four hits, four walks and one hit batter with eight strikeouts.
 
Kuhn (2-2) was credited with the win for USD, after coming on in the top of the seventh. He finished the game with one run on three hits, no walks, one hit batter and four strikeouts.
 
The Toreros will take on the Pilots for game two of the series on Friday at 6 p.m. PT.