The Husky baseball team made quick work of Portland last night, as they scored six runs in the first three innings and then held on for a 6-3 win.

“They came out early with fastballs, and we’re a fastball aggressive team,” freshman Brian Pearl said. “When that happens, good things happen.”

Washington (24-21) won the first game of a two-game series with ease, thanks to two early home runs and solid pitching from sophomore Nick Haughian.

The Huskies took an early lead in the first inning, when sophomore Danny Cox batted in junior Michael Burgher with a triple. Then, junior Matt Hague belted a two-run homer during the next at-bat to make the score 3-0.

“I [was] just going to try to get something to drive, and he gave it to me and I put a good swing on it,” Hague said. “The wind was blowing, too, and that helped a little.”

In the second, freshman Brian Pearl put another ball over the fence, his third homer of the season, to give the Huskies a 4-0 advantage.

“He threw a fastball first pitch, wasn’t expecting it,” Pearl said. “Threw the same pitch the second time, and I just turned on it. It’s a good pitch to hit.”

The left-handed starter, Haughian (4-6), had a good outing, pitching five scoreless innings before the Pilots (19-24) managed to get a run on the board in the sixth. In his six innings of work, he struck out seven and allowed just one run.

“I was kind of anxious. I needed a good start, and the team needed a win,” Haughian said. “I felt good, my breaking ball and my change-up felt pretty good, so it was a good night.”

Coach Ken Knutson liked what he saw from Haughian.

“He’s got that ability; he’s a good pitcher,” Knutson said. “He should be a dominant guy, and he is at times. Hopefully this will get him back on track.”

The Pilots began to climb back into the game in the top of the seventh, as they batted in two runs off of Haughian’s relief, junior Brandon McKerney.

In the eighth, coach Ken Knutson squelched the opportunity of a Pilot comeback when he brought in junior Nick Hagadone, who has the lowest ERA among regular pitchers (2.06 ERA) and leads the team in saves (9). Hagadone made quick work of Portland with one-two-three innings in the eighth and ninth. He struck out three in his short time on the mound.

“He got a save tonight, and that’s good,” Knutson said. “Just 17 pitches in two innings; that’s real good.”

As he went 2-for-3 at the plate, Hague stretched his hitting streak to 17 games and climbed into the top spot for home runs on the team (10). Hague also has the team’s leading average (.347) among the regulars.

“I kind of just got on a little streak, a little fire, and I just keep trying to carry it to the next game,” Hague said. “I’m just trying to keep swinging at the ball and keep my plan going.”

The Huskies, who have now played the Pilots four times this season, sit tied at 2-2 in the match-up this year. They will look to keep their record against Portland tilted in their favor when they play them for the final time this season at 3 p.m. today.

Reach James Schleicher at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.