PULLMAN, Wash. – Sean Hartnett threw seven solid innings and Ian Sagdal drove in three as Washington State defeated Sacred Heart 5-1 in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night at Bailey-Brayton Field.

Sacred Heart (0-5) opened the scoring in the first as Jesus Medina led off the game with a walk, moved to third on a hit and wild pitch, then scored on Jayson Sullivan's RBI groundout to second.

The Cougars (8-5) tied it up in the bottom of the frame as a pair of walks and a sacrifice put Cougars on second and third with one out. Cameron Frost reached on an error by shortstop Zack Short with Wes Hatten scoring on the play, tying the game.

In the second, WSU posted a pair of runs as two errors and a walk loaded the bases for Sagdal, who drove a two-run single through the left side, scoring Jack Strunc and Shane Matheny for the 3-1 lead. Sagdal's sacrifice fly scoring Hatten in the fourth pushed the lead to 4-1, more than enough for Hartnett.

The senior right-hander scattered five hits, all singles, allowing one run while striking out eight as he improved to 3-1 on the season. Ryan Walker worked the final two innings, striking out one while not allowing a hit.

Hatten closed out the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, scoring Strunc.

Sagdal finished the night 2-for-3 with three RBI while Strunc and Hatten each scored twice.

The series continues Friday at Bailey-Brayton Field with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.

--wsucougars.com--