PROBABLE STARTERS
A.J. Block | Jr. | LHP | 1-4, 4.91 ERA, 48 K, 44.0 IP vs. Ken Waldichuk | Jr. | LHP | 8-4, 2.05 ERA, 118 K, 92.1 IP
Ky Bush | Fr. | LHP | Collegiate Debut vs.Kevin Milam | Jr. | RHP | 6-4, 3.68 ERA, 81 K, 85.2 IP
Dylan Steen | Jr. | RHP | 12-1, 2.21 ERA, 101 K, 105.2 IP - JUCO Stats vs. Carlos Lomeli | So. | RHP | 0-2, 4.21 ERA, 23 K, 36.1 IP
Hayden Rosenkrantz | So. | RHP | 0-2, 4.95 ERA, 25 K, 36.1 IP vs.Tyler Thorton | Fr. | RHP | Collegiate Debut

COUGARS OPEN 2019 CAMPAIGN AT SAINT MARY'S
Washington State Baseball heads to the Bay Area to open the 2019 season with a four-game series at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif. The series opens Friday at 2 p.m. followed by a doubleheader at 10 a.m. Saturday and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.

FOLLOW ALONG
Cougar baseball fans can follow all the season's action on the Washington State baseball official twitter page @CougBaseball, instagram page @Coug_Baseball and wsucougars.com. Links to live stats and radio streams will be available at the baseball schedule page on wsucougars.com. Every Cougar home game will be webstreamed through Pac-12.org. All four games at Saint Mary's are scheduled to be webstreamed by smcgaels.com

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State posted a 16-33-1 overall record in 2018 including a 8-21-1 in Pac-12 Conference play. The Cougar pitching staff recorded a pair of no-hitters for the first time since 1976 and the defense was fourth in the Pac-12 in double plays turned (46). Offensively, WSU returns senior shortstop Andres Alvarez (.263, 16 2B, 5 SB), junior infielder Dillon Plew (.277, 7 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI) and senior catcher Rob Teel (.275, 2 HR, 13 RBI) along with junior centerfielder Danny Sinatro (2 HR, 10 RBI, 9 SB). On the mound, junior lefthander A.J. Block (21 APP, 48 K, 44 IP) and sophomore righthander Hayden Rosenkrantz (6 Friday starts, 25 K, 36.1 IP) lead a pitching staff that adds a pair of freshmen who were both drafted out of high school; RHP Brandon White (14th, LAD), Ky Bush (40th, KC). Head coach Marty Lees begins his fourth season with the Cougars.

SERIES HISTORY
Saint Mary's College went 31-23 last season including a 14-13 mark in West Coast Conference play. The Gaels are led by a pair of Preseason All-Americans in LHP Ken Waldichuk and RHP/INF Kevin Milam. Last season, WSU split a, evenly matched four-game series with SMC in Pullman with the first three games decided by one run before the Gaels claimed the finale 3-1. The Cougars lead the all-time series 5-3-2 including a 2-1-2 mark against SMC in Moraga, claiming a three-game series 2-0-1 in 1981.

LAST YEAR AGAINST SAINT MARY'S
Washington State's initial 2018 home-opening series set for the first weekend of March against Sacramento State was cancelled due to weather. The Cougars instead waited a week to play in Bailey-Brayton Field, splitting a four-game series with Saint Mary's. WSU came back to win the opener 7-6 in 11 innings, scoring the winning run on a SMC throwing error. Friday, Saint Mary's benefitted from a ninth-inning baserunner interference call against WSU, taking the Cougars game-tying run off the board an instead giving the Gaels a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. Saturday, WSU received seven solid innings from Scotty Sunitsch and a pair of solo home runs for a 2-1 win. In Sunday's finale, SMC used their own strong starting pitching performance to hold WSU to one run and three hits for a 3-1 win. 

COUGS TURN FIRST TRIPLE PLAY SINCE 1999
In WSU's 2-1 win over Saint Mary's last March 10, the Cougars turned their first triple play since 1999. 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 doing to so at Arizona State (4/11/99).

COUGS RECEIVE PRESEASON RECOGNITION
D1Baseball.com released its Top 2019 Prospects and a couple Cougars received recognition. Junior left-handed pitcher A.J. Block enters 2019 rated No. 25 among the Top Pac-12 2019 Prospects and No. 167 nationally. Three were named among the Top Pac-12 Impact Freshmen; RHP Brandon White (No. 12), LHP Ky Bush (No. 35), INF Kyle Manzardo (No. 38). White was also named among the Top-100 Impact Freshmen in the country, No. 85).

ANOTHER NATIONALLY RANKED RECRUITING CLASS
Washington State's 2016 incoming class was rated No. 28 by D1baseball.com and this year's 2018 class (this year's newcomers) was rated No. 32 in the country by Collegiate Baseball. The Cougars 2018 signing class features 21 newcomers including 12 who earned All-State honors, one Junior College All-American and a pair of high school signees who were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.

BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVES BASEBALL PROJECT - BTO
The Washington State Board of Regents Friday approved Project: BTO (Back to Omaha) Jan. 25, the baseball facility project to modernize and upgrade Bailey-Brayton Field. "Gaining approval for this project, which is funded solely on private donations, is a testament to a lot of hard work by many people, " said Washington State Director of Athletics Pat Chun. "Upgrading Bailey-Brayton Field was a necessity and provides Marty Lees and his staff the opportunity to attract top talent to Washington State, develop current talent, and return the program to a place of prominence." The state-of-the-art facility renovation and enhancement will cost approximately $10 million. 100 percent of the project costs will be covered through private donations. WSU Athletics was able to secure nearly $2 million in new gifts and pledges over the past 12 months to reach the $10 million goal. The project will feature a locker room, coaches offices, team meeting rooms, a players lounge, as well as recognition of Cougar Baseball's storied history. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2019, with completion in time for the 2021 baseball season. "What a great day to be a Coug," said WSU Head Coach Marty Lees. "Thank you to the Board of Regents, our administration, alumni, donors and fans. This will provide a tremendous boost to our current and future players and we couldn't be more excited for what the future holds surrounding Cougar Baseball."

WHO'S GONE?
The Cougars return four position starts and one pitcher from its weekend rotation in 2019. 
Here are a couple of significant losses:
Blake Clanton (DH) - Graduated, All-Pac-12 HM, .350, 13 2B, 10 HR, 35 RBI
Justin Harrer (OF) - Drafted, 35th RD, Pittsburgh, 11 HR, 30 RBI
JJ Hancock (OF) - Graduated, .278, 7 2B, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 4 SB
Scotty Sunitsch (LHP) - Drafted, 18th RD, Milwaukee, All-Pac-12 HM, 6-4, 3.74 ERA, 84.1 IP, 74 K, No-Hitter at ORE
Ryan Walker (RHP) - Drafted, 31st RD, San Francisco, 23 APP, 4-4, 5 SV, 46.1 IP, 47 K
Parker McFadden (RHP) - Drafted, 16th RD, Baltimore, 15 APP, 1-1, 3.56 ERA, 30.1 IP, 46 K

FOUR COUGARS DRAFTED BY MLB TEAMS IN 2018
Four Washington State baseball players were drafted by Major League teams in 2018. Cougar head coach Marty Lees has now seen 10 Cougars drafted in his three seasons at WSU. Junior Parker McFadden (RHP) was selected in the 16th round by the Baltimore Orioles, senior Scotty Sunitsch (LHP) was selected in the 18th round by the Milwaukee Brewers, senior Ryan Walker (RHP) was selected in the 31st round by the San Francisco Giants and junior Justin Harrer (INF) was selected in the 35th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. All four signed professional contracts. 

MLB DRAFT PICKS UNDER MARTY LEES
Since Marty Lees arrived at Washington State for the 2016 season, 10 Cougars have been drafted: 
2016, Ian Hamilton, RHP, 11th round, Chicago White Sox
2016, Layne Bruner, LHP, 18th round, Baltimore Orioles
2016, Trek Stemp, 2B, 29th round, Tampa Bay Rays
2017, Damon Jones, LHP, 18th round, Philadelphia Phillies
2017, Shane Matheny, 3B, 23rd round, San Francisco Giants
2017, Colby Nealy, RHP, 35th round, Los Angeles Dodgers
2018, Parker McFadden, RHP, 16th round, Baltimore Orioles
2018, Scotty Sunitsch, LHP, 18th round, Milwaukee Brewers
2018, Ryan Walker, RHP, 31st round, San Francisco Giants
2018, Justin Harrer, INF,  35th round, Pittsburgh Pirates

Below is a list of current Cougars who were drafted out of high school:
2016, Danny Sinatro, OF, 40th round, Cleveland Indians
2016, A.J. Block, LHP, 39th round, Chicago Cubs
2017, Jack Smith, INF, 39th round, Seattle Mariners
2018, Brandon White, RHP, 14th round, Los Angeles Dodgers
2018, Ky Bush, LHP, 40th round, Kansas City Royals

SEVEN COUGARS EARN PAC-12 ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS IN 2018
Seven Cougars received Pac-12 Conference All-Academic honors in 2018, including two first-team selections. A.J. Block (3.77 GPA, Computer Science) and Collin Maier (3.92 GPA, Mechanical Engineering) were each named to the first team, the first time WSU has had two first-team selections since 2014. Cal Waterman (3.52 GPA, Finance) was named to the second team while Blake Clanton (3.37 GPA, Accounting), Danny Sinatro (3.42 GPA, Marketing), Scotty Sunitsch (3.05 GPA, Criminal Justice) and Ryan Walker (3.15 GPA, Criminal Justice) each received honorable mention. The seven selections are the most under head coach Marty Lees and most by WSU since eight earned all-academic honors in 2012. To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average, be a starter or significant contributor, and have completed at least one year in residence at their current institution. 

COUGARS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS DURING PAC-12 PLAY
Washington State finished the season among the league leaders during Pac-12 Conference play. The Cougar offense was third in home runs (26) and the pitching was fourth in strikeouts (227) while the defense was second in double plays turned (30). Individually in conference play, Blake Clanton tied for seventh in batting average (.345), was fifth in slugging (.655) and was sixth in home runs (8) while Justin Harrer tied for fourth in home runs (9) and Danny Sinatro was tied for fifth in stolen bases (6). On the mound, Scotty Sunitsch tied for seventh in innings (62.1) and sixth in strikeouts (57).

BY THE NUMBERS IN 2018
36 - WSU's 36 home runs were the most since 2010
25 - WSU played 25 games that were decided by two runs or less (10-14-1)
18 - WSU played 18 one-run games in 2018 and went 9-9 in those games
9 - WSU saw 9 pitchers make their WSU debuts in 2018 including 6 true freshmen
9 - WSU had 9 comeback wins in 2018 including four of walkoff variety
7 - WSU had 7 last at-bat wins in 2018 including against Gonzaga (4/3)
7 - WSU turned 7 double plays during the series against No. 3 Oregon State
5 - Andres Alvarez had 5 hits in the season-finale against Utah (5/26)
4 - 4 pitchers combined to no-hit Santa Clara in the 5-0 win April 22
2 - WSU threw 2 no-hitters in 2018 for the first time since 1976
1 - WSU handed Arizona its first home loss of the 2018 season March 24, UA had won its first 10 home games
1 - Danny Sinatro's 1st career homer was an inside-the-parker against Santa Clara (4/21), it was the 1st inside-the-park homer for WSU since Yale Rosen did so in 2013
1 - WSU tied No. 3 Oregon State 7-7 (5/6), it was WSU's 1st tie since 1992 (8-8, vs. New Mexico - Fresno)

ABOUT ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH / PITCHING COACH DAN SPENCER 
Dan Spencer oversees WSU's pitching staff and reunited with Lees as the two spent four seasons together at Oregon State, winning back-to-back College World Series titles in 2006 and 2007. Spencer coached three seasons with the New Mexico Lobos after serving the previous four years as the head coach of Texas Tech, compiling a 115-112 record. Before joining Texas Tech for the 2008 season, Spencer spent 11 seasons at Oregon State as the Beavers hitting coach (1997-2003) and pitching coach (2004-2007). He began his head coaching career at Green River Community College (1992-96) in Auburn, Wash. In 1992 and 1994 he was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Coach of the Year. A native of Vancouver, Wash., Spencer received his bachelor's degree in history from Portland State University in 1990. He and his wife, Susie, have three children: Wade, Logan, and Elizabeth.

ABOUT ASSISTANT COACH JIM HORNER
Jim Horner, a first-team All-Pacific-10 player for the Cougars in 1996, jumped at the opportunity to return to the Palouse after managing the Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate Jackson Generals (Tenn.) for the 2014 season and the first half of the 2015 campaign. Horner owns seven-plus years of managerial experience, serving as the skipper of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Seattle – Low-A) from 2006-07 and the High Desert Mavericks (Seattle - High-A) from 2008-10 and 2013. In 2009, he was named California League Manager of the Year and Seattle Mariners Staff Member of the Year after guiding the Mavericks to South Division first and second half titles. From 2011-12, Horner coached two seasons at Texas Tech as the hitting coach under then head coach Dan Spencer. Horner joined the coaching ranks immediately after completing a nine-year professional playing career, all with the Mariners' organization. He was a catcher in the Seattle farm system from 1996-2004. In 2000, Horner reached the Triple-A level with the Tacoma Rainiers. Horner played at Washington State for coaches Bobo Brayton (1993-94) and Steve Farrington (1995-96). The Twin Falls, Idaho native earned first-team All-Pac-10 Conference honors as a senior after leading the Cougars with a .332 batting average. Horner was also named the Pacific-10 Conference Medal Winner for Washington State as WSU's top male student-athlete and received all-academic honors while earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Jim and his wife, Katie, have four children: daughters, Madison and Reagan, and sons, Jackson and Tyler.