TUCSON, Ariz. – Washington State jumped to an early lead and evened the series with a 6-2 victory over the University of Arizona Saturday evening.

The Cougars (10-18, 3-8 Pac-12) tallied nine hits and held the Wildcats (19-12, 4-7 Pac-12) to just three hits to even the series at a game apiece. Sophomore Weston Hatten and freshman Ty Johnson each collected two hits while Trek Stemp drove in two runs and stole two bases.

Washington State scored twice in the first inning on RBI singles from Hatten and Johnson and added two more in the second on an Arizona error and a Dugan Shirer sacrifice fly. WSU freshman starter Ryan Ward pitched well with the lead, allowing just one run on one hit and struck out four in 4.1 innings.

The Cougars added two more in the fourth with RBI singles form Stefan Van Horn and Trek Stemp to open up a 6-0 lead. Arizona scored once in the fourth before WSU sophomore reliever Ryan Walker settled in with scoreless fifth, sixth and seventh innings, retiring seven straight at one point. Walker made the lead stand, allowing just one run in 3.2 innings before the bullpen sealed things up for the 6-2 victory.

Walker improved to 4-1 while Arizona starter JC Cloney took the loss after allowing four runs in two innings.

GAME NOTES…WSU stole five bases and took advantage for three Arizona errors…the series wraps up Sunday at 10 a.m.

--wsucougars.com--