PROBABLE STARTERS
Brandon White | Fr. | RHP | 0-0, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 K, 2.2 IP vs.Travis Howard | RS-Jr. | RHP | 0-0, 2 ER, 1 H, 0 K, 1.0 IP
Ky Bush | Fr. | LHP | 0-0, 5 ER, 4 H, 0 K, 3.1 IP vs. Brendan Ecklebarger | Jr. | LHP | 0-0, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, 4.1 IP
Dylan Steen | Jr. | RHP | 0-1, 6 ER, 7 H, 0 K, 3.2 IP vs.Keegan McCarville | Jr. | RHP | 0-1, 4 ER, 5 H, 0 K, 4.1 IP
Hayden Rosenkrantz | So. | RHP | 0-1, 3 ER, 6 H, 5 K, 6.0 IP vs. TBA

COUGARS HEAD TO SANTA CLARA FOR FOUR-GAME SERIES
Washington State Baseball (0-4) returns to northern California for a four-game series at Santa Clara University (0-3) beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. The series continues Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. matchup Saturday and wraps up Sunday at Noon.

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 Santa Clara are scheduled to be webstreamed by wccsports.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.

LAST WEEKEND
The Cougars dropped all four games of a season-opening series at Saint Mary's. Offensively, leftfielder Collin Montez led the way with five RBI and three extra-base hits including a two-homer game in game one of last Saturday's doubleheader. Leadoff man Dillon Plew also tallied three hits and posting a .444 on-base percentage. On the mound, nine pitchers made their WSU debuts including six freshmen. Sunday's sophomore starter Hayden Rosenkrantz led the way after setting career highs with six-plus innings and five strikeouts.

COUGAR QUICK HITS
TEAM
•  WSU has signed nationally ranked recruiting classes in 2 of the last 3 seasons (2016 - No. 28 and 2018 - No. 32)
•  WSU saw 14 players make their WSU debuts last weekend including 10 freshmen, 7 of them freshman pitchers
•  WSU saw 4 pitchers combine to no-hit Santa Clara last April, the 26th no-hitter in school history
•  WSU was the only team in the country with a two no-hitters in 2018, first WSU team to do so since 1976
•  WSU took 2 of 3 for its first series win over Arizona State since 2013 and first over ASU in Pullman since 2010
•  Marty Lees and pitching coach Dan Spencer were assistants on Oregon State's National Title teams (2006-07)
•  Assistant coach Jim Horner played for the Cougars (1993-96), earned All-Pac-10 honors as an OF in 1996 

PLAYER
•  Collin Montez enters the week tied for 2nd in the Pac-12 in home runs (2), both hit at Saint Mary's last Saturday

ABOUT SANTA CLARA
Santa Clara dropped all three of its series against San Jose State last weekend. The Broncos went  26-26 last season including 12-15 in West Coast Conference play. The Cougars lead the all-time series with SCU 14-4 after sweeping a three-game series in Pullman last season. WSU also leads the series in Santa Clara 5-3, with SCU claiming the last meeting, 7-5 in 2008.

LAST YEAR AGAINST SANTA CLARA
Washington State swept a three-game nonconference series with Santa Clara last season in Pullman. The Cougars hit at a .357 clip and outscored the Broncos 28-13 during the series. Andres Alvarez led the way hitting .545 with four doubles and a triple in the series while Blake Clanton hit four doubles in Friday's 12-10 win, setting a WSU record for doubles and tying a Pac-12 record. Saturday the Cougars cruised to an 11-3 win behind six strong innings from Scotty Sunitsch, a 3-hit game from Alvarez and a pair of two-run homers from Cal Waterman and Danny Sinatro with Sinatro's coming on an inside-the-parker. In Sunday's finale, four pitchers combined to no-hit Santa Clara in a 5-0 win. 

2018 COMBINED NO-HITTER NOTES
Notes from the April 22 combined no-hitter against Santa Clara
- 26th no-hitter in WSU history
- 22nd no-hitter in the country this season
- WSU's 2nd no-hitter this season, first time with two no-hitters since throwing two in 1976
- WSU threw a combined no-hitter last season against Stephen F. Austin
- Parker McFadden started, went 5 innings, struck out 4, walked two, hit one batter
- A.J. Block threw 1.1 innings, walked one, struck out one, worked 6th and got first out of 7th, leadoff error in 7th
- Collin Maier thew 0.2 innings, got final 2 outs in 7th with a strikeout and fielder's choice ground out
- Ryan Walker worked final 2 innings, got two flyouts and popout in 8th, struck out three around a walk in 9th

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 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
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 - 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.