Ben Roberts' two-run double highlighted a five-run, fifth inning as Washington State defeated Utah 10-3 in the Pac-12 series opener Friday at Smith's Field.
With the score tied 3-3 in the fifth, Roberts' doubled began a five-run innings as WSU (22-18, 6-10) capitalized on three Ute errors. Roberts and Shane Matheny came home when Cameron Frost's fly to left was misplayed by Wade Gulden and Frost scored on an error by short stop Cody Scaggari, giving WSU an 8-3 lead.
Utah (13-24, 5-11) opened the scoring in the second as Gulden doubled home Cole Taylor and Josh rose added an RBI single to right that scored Gulden.
The Cougars bounced back in the third as Ian Sagdal connected on his fifth home run of the season, a three-run shot scoring Cooper Elliott and Jack Strunc, for the 3-2 lead.
Utah tied the game in the fourth as Rose's RBI single scored Wyler Smith from third. With runners at the corners and one out, Ryan Walker came on in relief of Cougar starter Sean Hartnett, getting out of the inning with the score tied.
Walker worked four 2/3 innings allowing two hits and no runs as he earned his first win of the season. Scott Sunitsch faced only three batters in the ninth to close out the game.
Leading 8-3, the Cougars played add-on in the eighth as Roberts continued his strong day with an RBI single scoring Elliott while Frost brought home Roberts with a singled through the right side for the final margin of victory.
Roberts ended the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Strunc added three singles while Elliott had a pair of hits and three runs scored.
Utah starter Nolan Stouder (0-3) suffered the loss as he allowed eight runs, four earned, on seven hits in four 1/3 innings. Rose highlighted Utah's offense with a pair of hits and two RBI.
The series continues Saturday at Smith's Park with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. MT, noon PT.
--wsucougars.com--
