MORAGA, Calif. – Washington State dropped its season-opener 8-1 to Saint Mary's College on a wet and soggy Louis Guisto Field Friday afternoon.
 
Saint Mary's junior left-handed starter Ken Waldichuk, a Preseason All-American, was impressive, striking out six and allowed one hit in seven innings to earn the win.
 
The Cougars received singles from sophomore Garrett Gouldsmith and freshman Kodie Kolden in their WSU debuts. Cougar junior starter A.J. Block allowed four runs one five hits in the first inning but settled in and held the Gaels scoreless before giving way to the bullpen in the fifth inning.
 
For Washington State, freshman Trent Sellers made his collegiate debut in the fifth and induced a fly out before catcher Rob Teel threw out a runner trying to steal second to end the inning. Freshman Brandon White also made his collegiate debut, retiring the side in the sixth before SMC scored four times in the seventh to pull away.
 
The Cougars pushed a run across in the ninth after a Kodie Kolden singled to right and a Dillon Plew walked. Kolden later came home on a Saint Mary's throwing error.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Garrett Gouldsmith recorded his 1st career hit as a Cougar after reaching on an infield single deep in the hole to shortstop
Andres Alvarez walked in the 1st inning, extended his on-base streak to 10 games, dating back to last season
Trent Sellers made his collegiate debut out of the bullpen in the 6th inning
Brandon White made his collegiate debut in the 6th inning, worked 2.2 innings and struck out 2
Bryce Moyle struck out the only batter he faced to end the 8th
Kodie Kolden recorded his 1st career hit with a leadoff single to right in the 9^th
Rob Teel threw out a pair of runners trying to steal second
 
NEXT UP
The Cougars continue their series at Saint Mary's with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.