Sunitsch Pitches Cougars Past Saint Mary’s, 2-1

Saturday, March 10

Pullman, WA

2:00 PM

Washington State University

4-7

Saint Mary's (California)

8-5

Saint Mary's

Washington State

March 10, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score WSU-SMC BOX 3 Highlights - March 10 Marty Lees Postgame - March 10

By: Washington State Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State hit two solo homeruns to back an impressive pitching performance from Scotty Sunitsch in a 2-1 victory over Saint Mary's at Bailey-Brayton Field Saturday afternoon. Sunitsch went a career-best seven innings, allowed just one unearned run in the first inning and scattered five hits to record his first win of 2018. Seniors James Rudkin and Blake Clanton each hit solo home runs and the Cougars (4-7) used a triple play to claim two of the first three games in the series against Saint Mary's (8-5).

Saint Mary's jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, using a pair of infield singles, a sacrifice bunt and an error to push a run across.

In the second inning, the Cougars ended the top of the inning with something that hasn't been done by a WSU team since 1999, a triple play. Saint Mary's had runners on first and second with nobody out. SMC popped up a bunt attempt that catcher Cal Waterman dove for and caught. He jumped to his feet and fired to James Rudkin at first base to double-off the runner for the second out and Rudkin then fired to Andres Alvarez at second base to get the runner at second base for the final out. It was WSU's first triple play since 1999, coming at Arizona State April 11.

In the bottom of the second inning, Rudkin pulled a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run, his second of the season and tied the game 1-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, designated hitter Blake Clanton gave WSU a 2-1 lead with a solo homer to right centerfield, his second of the season.

Sunitsch settled in and kept the Gaels off the board the next six innings before Walker took over to start the eighth inning. Walker allowed a one-out infield single but ended the inning with a 5-4-3 double and retired the side in the ninth to record his first save of 2018.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Jack Smith singled in the 1^st inning to extend his hitting streak to 8 straight games
WSU turned a triple play in the second inning, its first triple play since 1999 at Arizona State (4/11)
Sunitsch worked a career-high 7 IP, allowed 1 R, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 1 BB
Sunitsch made career appearance No. 74, tied for 5^th-most in WSU history

NEXT UP
The series concludes Sunday at Noon.

TOP MOMENTS

Cal Waterman makes the diving catch and the Cougs turn a triple play!#GoCougs #SCTop10 @ESPN @NCAACWS @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/vuFaUCOENs
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 10, 2018

What a day at Bailey Brayton Ballpark @Cougbaseball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/pHFZTUNAYI
— Jason Gesser (@jasongesser) March 10, 2018

VIDEO - James Rudkin ties it up at 1-1 with a solo homer to left in the 2nd inning#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/xXu96tRePy
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 10, 2018

VIDEO - Blake Clanton gives the Cougs a 2-1 lead in the 6th with his 2nd homer of the year!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Il5kZhmokV
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 10, 2018

Cougs end the 8th with a sweet little 5-4-3 double play!

2-1 WSU#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/lDBEt5WECG
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 10, 2018

Cougs Win!

Scotty Sunitsch, W, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
Ryan Walker, SV, 2 IP, 2 K
James Rudkin, Solo HR
Blake Clanton, Solo HR#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/6DRbhBNp3Y
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 11, 2018