HILLSBORO, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers gave up five runs in the first inning during Friday's 7-2 loss to the Whitman Blues at Ron Tonkin Field. The game was the first of three non-conference games against Northwest Conference opponents.

Michael Contreras had a 3 for 3 performance at the plate, and Cristian Panaro pitched 4 2/3 innings of relief.

Jacob Serafini and Jack Thomson had the other hits for the Pioneers.

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Key Moments

David Johnson and Matthew Cho brought in three runs during the Whitman second inning. Cho's was an RBI double off Lewis & Clark starter Jordan Gonzalez (0-2), who pitched two innings, allowed four hits, four earned runs, walked two and struck out a pair. 

In the third, Contreras hit a one-out single and advanced to third on Sefafini's base knock. The pair stole home and second, respectively, to get the Pios on the board. Thomson's double brought in Serafini, and Lewis & Clark trailed 3-2. 

Whitman (1-5) got the two runs back in the bottom of the third. Matthew Sox hit one of the Blues' three doubles to bring in one. 

"Really frustrating game for us," Pioneers head coach Matt Kosderka said. "We didn't execute some things on defense, which cost us, but the big struggle was not being able to put balls in play, especially with runners in scoring position."

Lewis & Clark (1-4) stranded six in the game including three in the fifth. 

Deeper Look

• In his second-ever game, Panaro allowed a single run on four hits with one strikeout over his lengthy relief appearance
• Freshman Brayden Nomura made his second appearance of the season and covered the final 1 1/3 innings with a strikeout, a walk and an unearned run allowed
• Lewis & Clark committed three errors, and the Blues capitalized on two for runs, one in the third and another in the eighth
• Contreras' three hits gave him his second multi-hit game of the season and moved his season average to .368, by far the team high
• Serafini and Contreras added a sacrifice apiece 
• Only two other Pios reached base: Zack Kon and Blake Tellinghusen on walks
• Starting pitcher Eric Ma (1-1) won the game for the Blues over six innings with 11 strikeouts

Looking Ahead

Lewis & Clark plays against Whitworth on Saturday at Milwaukie High School.