CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona freshman Trevor Crowe slides safely into second base during yesterday's win over Portland. Crowe, whose hometown is Portland, Ore., and the Wildcats sent the Pilots packing, winning 19-5.

Yesterday against Portland, head coach Andy Lopez expected his team to play better than it did when it lost last weekend's series at defending national champion Texas.

Apparently, a 19-5 drubbing wasn't enough.

"We teach one thing and one thing only, and that is to play the game," Lopez said, following the Wildcats' victory at Sancet Field. "Don't play the score, don't play the opponent ÷ play the game. We did some things that were OK today, but we really have some areas that we need to work on."

Arizona (13-7) seemed to be doing just fine early in the game, batting around in each of the first two innings to open up a 13-0 lead over the Pilots (3-10). Sophomore Jeff Van Houten capped the rally with the first of his two home runs that day, a three-run shot to center.

Wildcat sophomore Mark Worrell (1-2) earned his first victory of the season with four innings of work, striking out four and allowing no earned runs. Freshman Pat Lawler tossed five innings in relief,

striking out three and allowing three earned runs. Pilot starter Daniel Knox (0-3) didn't fare as well, lasting only one inning in the loss.

Van Houten and sophomore Richard Mercado spearheaded an Arizona offense in which every starter had at least one hit. Van Houten recovered from a rough weekend in Austin with six RBIs on 3-for-4 hitting, while Mercado posted five RBIs on three hits.

"I'm just trying to make good contact, keep hitting the ball hard," Van Houten said. "Luckily, they fell today. In Texas, they weren't falling for me."

Lopez said his team might need a better effort to complete the series sweep in the final game today at 3 p.m.

"Obviously, (Portland) is going to have a better day tomorrow, and we're going to have to play better (to win)," Lopez said.

This afternoon's game will feature undefeated junior Sean Rierson (4-0) facing off against Portland freshman Joe Jones. Rierson was named the Pacific-10 Conference Pitcher of the Week yesterday after posting his fourth career complete game in a 5-1 win over Texas on Friday. Rierson received the honor for the second time this season.

When told of Rierson's award, Lopez offered succinct praise to his staff ace.

"Wow," Lopez said. "That's pretty impressive."