Feb. 28, 2013

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. - Trace Tam Sing snapped a 1-1 tie with a RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh inning and Washington State defeated visiting Cal State Northridge 2-1 in nonconference baseball at Bailey-Brayton Field, Thursday.

Brett Jacobs led off the inning with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Collin Slaybaugh. After Ben Roberts moved Slaybaugh to second with a sacrifice bunt, Tam Sing delivered the game-winning hit off Cal State Northridge (4-4) starter Jerry Keel (1-1).

"Trace came up with a big hit for us tonight," Cougar Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "I thought this was a typical Pac-12/Big West first game of the series and I prefer games like this."

Washington State (6-2) starter Joe Pistorese gave up one run in 6 1/3 innings and owns a 0.50 ERA through three starts. Sean Hartnett (1-0) earned his first-career victory after inducing a double play ground ball to end the top of the seventh.

Kellen Camus and J.D. Leckenby blanked the Matadors in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, with Leckenby logging his third save.

"Our bullpen did a great job again tonight," Marbut said. "We also played good defense late with P.J. (Jones) throwing a runner trying to steal in the eighth and Collin (Slaybaugh) running a ball down in center field in the ninth."

The series continues, Friday at 6 p.m. Right-hander Tanner Chleborad will take the mound for the Cougars.

COUGAR NOTES
Nick Tanielu collected two hits and raised his team-leading batting average to .471...eight of the nine Cougar starters reached base with a hit or a walk...Washington State's bullpen improved to 5-0 with four saves.