PULLMAN, Wash. – J.J. Hancock had a pair of extra-base hits and Ian Hamilton tied WSU's career record with his 24th save as Washington State rallied for a 3-2 victory over Washington in a Pac-12 Conference game Thursday night at Bailey-Brayton Field.
Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, Hancock laced a triple down the right-field line, scoring Daniel Fredrickson to tie the game. Jack Strunc followed with a flair to right over the drawn-in infield, scoring Hancock with the eventual winning run.
Hamilton started the ninth and after hitting the first batter he faced, recorded a strikeout then induced Alex Schmidt to hit into the game-ending double play. It marked Hamilton's ninth save of the season and 24th of his career, tying Reed Rainey's school record, and giving Washington State (16-16, 4-9) it's fourth win in the last five games.
Washington (18-13, 5-8) started the scoring off as Jack Meggs led off the game with a home run to right, giving Washington a quick 1-0 lead off starter Sean Hartnett. The Cougar senior settled in after that, allowing a run in the fourth as Braden Bishop led off with a double to right then scored one out later of Chris Baker's RBI groundout to second to close out the scoring for Washington.
The Cougars found the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth as Hancock led off with a double, moved to third on a fly out to right and scored on a throwing error by Meggs. Hancock finished the game 2-for-3, knocking in one and coming around twice.
Hartnett worked 6 1/3 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out two. Matt Bower and Sam Triece bridged the gap to Hamilton as the Cougar relievers did not allow a walk or hit over the final 2 2/3 innings. Bower picked up the win to improve to 7-2, which leads the Pac-12 in wins.
Husky starter Noah Bremer allowed one run on six hits over five innings but did not factor into the decision. Reliever Spencer Jones suffered the loss as he falls to 2-6 on the season, allowed two runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Game two of this series is set for Friday from Bailey-Brayton Field in a game televised by the Pac-12 Networks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
