PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State opened a three-game nonconference baseball series, Friday night with an 8-6 victory over Texas State at Bailey-Brayton Field.

The Cougars (3-7) jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings. In the second, Yale Rosen led off with a double and scored on back-to-back ground outs. In the third, Nick Tanielu plated two runs with a two-out single and Rosen followed with his first home run of the season.

“Our offense was better tonight,” Washington State Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. “We were focused. Jason (Monda) pitched well early before he lost the strike zone a bit. It was nice to put ourselves in a position to win a series.”

Cougar starter Jason Monda carried a shutout into the sixth when the Bobcats (9-4) rallied to tie the score. With one out, Texas State scored two runs on a double, two walks and two singles. After a fielder's choice, consecutive singles closed the gap to 5-4 and loaded the bases with two outs. Kellen Camus relieved Monda and walked in the tying run before recording the final out in the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Rosen drew a leadoff walk and took third on a one-out single by Ian Sagdal. Rosen scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of P.J. Jones to take a 6-5 lead. The Bobcats tied the game in the seventh against Scott Simon on a single, a stolen base and a double.

In the bottom of the seventh, Trek Stemp led off with his fourth hit of the game. Collin Slaybaugh followed with a bunt single. Tanielu plated the go-ahead run with a single and Rosen bunted for a hit to load the bases. Patrick McGrath added an insurance run with an RBI-ground out.

Sophomore Matt Bower (1-0), the fourth of six Cougar pitchers, struck out three in an inning of work to earn his first-career victory. Freshman Ian Hamilton worked the ninth for his second save.

The series continues, Saturday at 2 p.m. A decision will be made Saturday morning regarding a single game or doubleheader being played.