SURPRISE, Ariz. –– Aggressive baserunning and four late runs proved to be enough as the Washington State baseball team topped Kansas, 8-5, on day three of the Pac-12/Big 12 Challenge. The victory improves the Cougars to 4-3 on the season, while the Jayhawks fall to 2-4.
KU jumped ahead early posting two runs in the top half of the first, linking together three-straight hits off WSU starter Joe Pistorese, including a two-run double off the bat of Blair Beck.
The Cougars responded by posting three early runs, one in the first and two in the second. Wes Hatten got WSU on the board, taking advantage of a wild pitch by KU starter and losing pitcher Ben Krauth (0-2). Jack Strunc gave the Cougars the lead with a two-run single scoring Patrick McGrath and Ben Roberts.
Hatten, who finished 2-for-4, added an RBI to his day with a sacrifice fly that plated Strunc, giving the Cougars a 4-2 advantage in the fifth.
After four-scoreless innings, KU bats found three runs, one in the sixth and two in the seventh. The Jayhawks took a 5-4 lead in the seventh off a sacrifice fly and an RBI double.
Trailing for the first time since the first, WSU put up four, two-out runs, three of which came on hits. P.J. Jones, who went 2-for-4, started the rally with a clutch two-run double to left before coming around to score off a single by Ian Sagdal. Sagdal capped off the rally scoring on a bases loaded walk to Wes Leow.
“We kept fighting all game and offensively did a nice job in the seventh inning, with Ian (Sagdal) having a great at-bat to keep the inning going,” said WSU Head Coach Donnie Marbut. “We strung some hits together to get the lead and came from behind twice in the game which was nice to see.”
Matt Bower and Ian Hamilton closed the door on the Jayhawks, as Bower (2-0) picked up his second win in relief going 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out one. Hamilton recorded his third save of the year, throwing one solid inning, striking out one.
Washington State wraps up the Pac-12/Big 12 Challenge in Mesa, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 21, against the Kansas State Wildcats. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m. PT.
--wsucougars.com--
