PULLMAN, Wash. – Patrick McGrath's pinch-hit, three-run home run in the sixth proved to the be the difference as Washington State defeated Gonzaga 4-2 in a nonconference game Tuesday at Bailey-Brayton Field.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Wes Hatten started things off with a single up the middle followed by an intentional walk to Ian Sagdal one out later. McGrath, pinch hitting for Wes Leow, drilled a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left, giving the Cougars (15-16) a 4-1 lead.
In the ninth, Gonzaga (15-17) had back-to-back hits to open the inning off reliever Ian Hamilton, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Hamilton was able to limit the damage, by only giving up an RBI groundout the rest of the way to give Washington State Head Coach Donnie Marbut his 300th career victory.
The Cougars opened the scoring in the fourth as Sagdal led off with a double to left-center. One out later, Shane Matheny's sacrifice fly to left scored Sagdal for the 1-0 lead.
Gonzaga tied the game in the sixth on a hit, a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Caleb Wood.
Gonzaga threatened in the seventh as it loaded the bases with one out against reliever Matt Bower. Sam Triece came on and threw one pitch, inducing Nick Minteer into the inning-ending 4-6-3 double play and preserve the three-run lead. The Bulldogs scored one in the top of the ninth as Dustin Breshears' RBI groundout plated Cory LeBrun for the final margin of victory.
Freshman Scotty Sunitsch had his first career start and faced the minimum in his five innings of work, scattering two hits and allowing one run. Bower, who worked 2/3 of an inning, picked up the win to improve to 6-2 on the season. Hamilton recorded his eighth save and now has 23 for his career, one shy of the WSU all-time record.
Bulldog starter Tyler Frost (1-3) suffered the loss as he allowed three runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.
The Cougars return to action Thursday when they begin a three-game series against Pac-12 foe Washington. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from Bailey-Brayton Field in a game televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
