PULLMAN, Wash. – Cameron Frost's sacrifice fly scored Ben Roberts to cap a three-run ninth inning as Washington State rallied for a 4-3 victory over San Jose State Friday night at Bailey-Brayton Field.
Trailing 3-1 entering its final at-bat, Washington State (19-18) earned its first victory of the season when trailing after eight as Shane Matheny started things off with a double to right-center. Cooper Elliott, who sent Thursday's game into extra innings with a two-out double in the ninth, struck again as he followed Matheny's hit with a triple down the line in right, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Myles Richard came on in relief of San Jose State (10-28) starter Josh Nashed and delivered a four-pitch walk to Roberts. One out later with runners at second and third, Richard's wild pitch allowed Elliott to come home, tying the game, while Roberts advanced to third. Frost then delivered a 2-2 pitch to center, scoring Roberts with the winning run.
The Cougars struggled offensively for most of the night against Nashed, who worked 8-plus innings, allowing three runs on six hits with striking out six. After back-to-back hits to open the ninth, Richard came on in relief and allowed the winning run without giving up a hit.
San Jose State manufactured a run in the first as Andre Mercurio led off the game with a double to left-center. He moved to third on a groundout then came home one out later on Shane Timmons' RBI single through the left side. The Spartans extended its lead in the fourth as Chris Williams led off with a single and later scored on Jack Veasey's s two-out single to left.
The Cougars cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fourth as Derek Chapman led off with a single, the first hit of the game for WSU. Ian Sagdal singled him to third before Matheny drove him home on an RBI groundout to second.
Sagdal and Elliott each finished the night with two hits while Wes Hatten saw his team-high 12-game hitting streak end. Cougar starter Ryan Walker worked four innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Layne Bruner, the fourth Cougar pitcher of the night, worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his first win of the season.
The Cougars and Spartans continue their four-game series Saturday at Bailey-Brayton Field. First pitch is schedule for 2 p.m.
--wsucougars.com--
