SPOKANE, Wash. – Yale Rosen belted a three-run home run and Washington State defeated Gonzaga 5-1 in nonconference baseball, Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs (12-23) scored a run in the first inning, but the Cougars (17-16) responded with a two-out rally in the third. Collin Slaybaugh singled and stole second. After Trek Stemp was hit by a pitch, Rosen launched a ball over the right-center field fence for his fourth home run of the year to give Washington State a 3-1 lead. The blast came off Gonzaga starter Kenny Smith (0-4).
The Cougars added to their lead with two runs in the eighth against the Bulldogs' bullpen. Ben Roberts opened the frame with an infield single. P.J. Jones followed with a bunt single and Ian Sagdal singled to left to load the bases. Pinch hitter Cooper Elliott grounded into a double play that scored Roberts and Trace Tam Sing delivered an RBI-single for a 5-1 advantage.
Scott Simon (1-2) went five innings for the Cougars and received relief help from Kellen Camus, Matt Bower and Sam Triece.
“Everyone that pitched tonight was great,” Washington State Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. “Anytime you pitch and defend you give yourself a chance and we did that tonight.”
Washington State opens a three-game Pac-12 series at No. 10 Oregon, Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at PK Park.
