March 5, 2004

Final Stats

Washington State's Aaron MacKenzie struck out nine Portland batters and freshman Justin McClure drove home three runs as the Cougar baseball team notched a 9-4 win over the Pilots Friday in the Banana Belt Tournament at Harris Field.

MacKenzie (3-0) pitched eight innings for the win, allowing four runs, all earned and five hits. WSU (8-3) belted 12 hits, including McClure's first home run of the season, to collect its third straight win. Brandon Hundt finished the game with two strikeouts for WSU. Portland (0-9) starter Trent Kristjanson (0-2) took the loss, striking out six in six innings of work. Given Kutz finished up for the Pilots.

"MacKenzie didn't have his best stuff," WSU Head Coach Tim Mooney said. "But he did a great job of competing for us today. McClure came up with some big hits including his two-run homer. "

Trailing 4-3 in the sixth, WSU scored three runs off Zach McAngus' run-scoring single and a two-run home run by McClure. McAngus' single up the middle scored Jason Freeman, who walked and stole second. McClure followed with the first home run of his WSU career to put WSU on top 6-4.

WSU broke away from Portland in the seventh inning with three insurance runs, the first coming from a bases loaded walk. McAngus hit a sacrifice fly to score Zach Kosturos who reached base with a double. McClure drove home the Cougs' final run with one-out single.

WSU scored two first-inning runs to answer Gustaf Little's solo home run that led off the game. Jay Miller singled to center field to score Kaeo Rubin. Justin Hart scored an unearned run as WSU took 2-1 lead after one inning.

Mike McRae hit a solo home run for the Pilots in the top of the fourth to tie the game 2-2.

WSU regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, with an unearned run when Rubin singled home Brandon Reddinger.

In the fifth, Portland's Little doubled and advanced to third on an error that also scored Jesse Rogers. Little scored the final run for the Pilots when Jeffery Crinklaw doubled down the left field line.

The Cougars resume tournament play Saturday against Utah Valley State at 1 p.m., at Harris Field.

Portland	100	120	000	4	6	4
WSU	200	103	30x	9	12	1
Trent Kristjanson, Given Kutz (7) and Jeffrey Crinklaw.
Aaron MacKenzie, Brandon Hundt and Brandon Reddinger.
W - MacKenzie (3-0). L - Kristjanson (0-2). Save - None. HR - Little (1), McRae (2), McClure (1).
T - 2:31. A - 75.
Portland Hits - Little 2, Crinklaw, McRae, Hahn, Rodgers.
WSU Hits - Rubin, Hart 2, Ja. Miller 2, Richardson, Kosturos 2, McAngus 2, McClure 2.
E - Crinklaw, McRae 2, Rodgers, Jas. Freeman. 2B - Little, Crinklaw, Kosturos. 3B - None.