PULLMAN, Wash. – Joe Pistorese worked six strong innings and the Cougars pounded out 12 hits in Washington State's 14-2 victory over Sacred Heart in front of 1,108 fans Friday night at Bailey-Brayton Field.   

Sacred Heart (0-6) opened the scoring in the second when Victor Sorrento drove a 1-2 pitch over the fence in left field for the 1-0 lead.

WSU (9-6) answered in the second on a RBI off the bat of Ben Roberts then put up five more in the third as Wes Loew had a two-run single, a sacrifice fly from Roberts and a two-run single off the bat of Tyler McDowell to give WSU a 6-1 lead.

That was more than enough for Pistorese. The senior left-hander worked six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts as he picked up his second win.

The Cougars added two more runs in the fifth as Shane Matheny drove in two with a single to left-center, pushing WSU's lead to 8-1.

In the sixth the Pioneers got one back as Alex Perry doubled then eventually came home on Jayson Sullivan's RBI groundout to first. WSU put the game out of reach in the seventh as it batted around, scoring six runs on three hits, taking advantage of three walks and two hit-by-pitches. Daniel Fredrickson led off with a triple and also had a sacrifice fly in the frame, while Brennon Kaleiwahea added an RBI single.

The 12 hits for WSU was its second-highest output of the season while the 14 runs were a season-high. Loew and McDowell led the way at the plate with two hits each. In all, 10 different Cougars had a hit in the game.

Robbie Maguire (0-1) suffered the loss as he lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits. Offensively, Sorrento led the way with a pair of hits, including his first home run of the season.

The series continues Saturday at Bailey-Brayton Field with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

--wsucougars.com--