PULLMAN, Wash. – No. 5 UCLA used a couple late-inning rallies to take the series finale 8-4 against Washington State at Bailey-Brayton Field Sunday afternoon.
Leadoff hitter Shea Donlin with two hits and two runs scored and designated hitter Wes Leow drove in two runs for the Cougars (12-14, 1-8 Pac-12). WSU held a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh but the Bruins (21-5, 8-1 Pac-12) scored twice in each of the final three innings to come away with the victory. Washington State right-handed starting pitcher Sam Triece struck out three in 3 1/3 innings, and allowing two earned runs in the fourth before exiting.
WSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the first inning. Two Bruin errors and run-scoring sacrifice flies from Leow and catcher P.J. Jones in the frame gave Washington State the early advantage.
Triece was in command through the first three inning before allowing the two runs in the fourth. UCLA used four hits and a WSU error to cut the Cougar lead to 3-2. Bruin starting pitcher Griffin Canning settled in on the mound after allowing the three unearned runs in the first, retiring the next 11 batters before Wes Hatten singled with two outs in the fifth.
In the top of the seventh, UCLA used a lead-off walk and an RBI double to left center to tie the game before a walk and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with two outs. With a Bruin baserunner jostling for a bigger off third base, WSU was called for a balk and the go-ahead run was allowed to come home for a 4-3 UCLA lead.
The Bruins went ahead for good in the eighth with a double, a hit-by-pitch and a two-run single to left for a 6-3 advantage. Washington State answered with a run in their half of the eighth after Shea Donlin come home from third on Lowe's fielder's choice that cut the UCLA lead to two but the Bruins put the game away with a two more runs in the ninth.
UCLA closer Dave Berg picked up his sixth save and Cougar reliever Scotty Sunitsch (0-1) took the loss.
Washington State will head to Spokane for a Tuesday night matchup against Gonzaga University. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
