WSU Rallies To Beat Saint Mary's in 11

Thursday, March 8

Pullman, WA

1:00 PM

Washington State University

3-6

Saint Mary's (California)

7-4

Saint Mary's

Washington State

March 08, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score WSU-SMC BOX 1 Marty Less Postgame - March 8 Highlights - March 8

By: Washington State Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State forced a Saint Mary's error in the 11^th inning that allowed the winning run to score and give the Cougars a 7-6 win in the series-opener at Bailey-Brayton Field Thursday afternoon.

WSU (3-6) had runners on first and third base and Justin Harrer at the plate with two outs in the 11^th inning. Prior to the 1-1 pitch to Harrer, the runner at first base (Dillon Plew) broke early and the Saint Mary's pitcher stepped off the mound and made an errant throw wide of second base and into centerfield, allowing Blake Clanton to trot home from third base for the game-winner.

The Cougars received three hits from Clanton off the bench and a game-tying three-run double from Plew in the seventh inning.

Jack Smith gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead and extended his hitting streak to six straight games with an RBI-single through the right side in the second inning. WSU added another run in the third inning after catcher Cal Waterman drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Gaels got to the Cougar bullpen in the fourth inning, scoring four runs in the frame with the big blow coming on a two-out three-run home run for a 4-2 SMC lead. WSU stranded two baserunners in the fourth but came up with a run in the fifth inning as Blake Clanton delivered a pinch-hit RBI-single through the right side to score JJ Hancock and cut the Gael's lead to 4-3.

WSU got the Gael bullpen in the seventh inning as Smith pulled a double down the left field line, Waterman was hit by a pitch and Clanton reached on a high chopper of an infield single to load the bases. Plew, who had pinch-hit and hit into an inning-ending double play to end the sixth, came up big with a 3-run double into the right-centerfield gap, tying the game 6-6.

In the final frame, Clanton pulled single into right-centerfield to start the inning and was bunted up to second by Andres Alvarez. Plew drew a walk and Clanton later moved up to third base after tagging on a fly out by James Rudkin. Clanton scampered home for WSU's first extra-inning win since beating Washington in 11 innings last season in Pullman.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Jack Smith singled in the 2^nd inning to extend his hitting streak to 6 straight games
James Rudkin walked in the 3^rdinning, has reached base in 8 of the 9 games in 2018
Starter A.J. Block worked 3 scoreless innings, struck out four, walked 3 and allowed 3 hits
Freshman RHP Brody Barnum made his collegiate pitching debut
Blake Clanton came off the bench to record a career-high three hits
Andres Alvarez recorded two hits, his 5^th multiple-hit game of the season
Freshman LHP Bryce Moyle struck out three and allowed one hit in 2 innings of relief
Senior RHP Ryan Walker fired 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, had 3 K, 2 BB, 0 H
Senior LHP Cody Anderson picked up the win in relief after firing a perfect 11^th inning

NEXT UP
The series continues Friday at 2 p.m.

TOP MOMENTS

Icy Whites for the home-opener!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/dufP6s9mgv
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 8, 2018

Home opener ?? #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/utcWDlwD2Y
— WSU Cougars (@WSUCougars) March 8, 2018

Dustin Yates makes a diving catch in left center and AJ Block ends the 2nd with a strikeout!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/fZq28ATiol
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 8, 2018

With the bases loaded and 1 out in the 7th, Dillon Plew does this! We are tied at 6!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/r8ucHVxgVo
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 9, 2018

WEB GEM ALERT! Andres Alvarez with the spin and throw in the 10th!#GoCougs #SCTop10 #WebGem #Pac12BSB pic.twitter.com/RqpIHUybtr
— WSU Baseball (@Cougbaseball) March 9, 2018