PULLMAN, Wash. – Jared Morton retired all eight batters he faced to earn his first win of the season as UC Riverside posted a 4-1 victory over Washington State Saturday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field.

Morton (1-0) came on with one out and runners on first and second in the fifth inning and quickly got a pop out and strikeout to end the frame. He then retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh to preserve a 4-0 lead for UC Riverside (6-6).

Washington State (6-5) struggled at the plate to find the timely at-bat, collecting five hits on the afternoon but leaving nine runners on base. The Cougars' lone run came in the eight as Ian Sagdal laced a one-out double to right, stole third, and scored on a fielder's choice by Cameron Frost.

The Highlanders jumped out in the first as Dante Chupek reached on a one-out error by Sagdal and came around to score on Alex Rubanowitz's infield single for the early 1-0 lead. UCR extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth as Matthew Ellis singled home Vince Fernandez and Robby's Witt brought home Mark Contreras on a fielder's choice.

The Cougars loaded the bases in the fourth with one out but Highlander starter Jesus Gonzalez induced Shane Matheny into the inning-ending double play to end the threat.

In the fifth UCR added an insurance run on Fernandez's RBI double to left, scoring Joe Chaves, and giving the Highlanders all the runs they needed.

Gonzalez went 4 1/3 innings, scattering three hits while walking four before giving way to Morton. Ryan Lillie worked the ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

Nick Leonard started for WSU and suffered the loss, allowing just one unearned run on three hits while striking out four in three innings. In all five Cougar pitchers saw action on the afternoon. Daniel Fredrickson had two of WSU's five hits, both singles.

Washington State concludes its four-game series with UC Riverside Sunday morning at Bailey-Brayton Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.

--wsucougars.com--