HONOLULU – Junior outfielder
Collin Montez homered twice and sophomore righthander
Zane Mills worked seven impressive innings as Washington State beat Hawai'i 6-2 in the series-opener Thursday evening.
Montez drove in five runs with a two-run homer in the first inning and a long three-run shot in the third inning, both to right field. Mills, making his second career start, scattered five hits, allowed two runs and struck out seven to improve to 2-0. Junior lefthander
Bryce Moyle worked the eighth and ninth innings to preserve the win. WSU (2-3) received two-hit games from Montez,
Jack Smith and
Justin Van De Brake while Montez and Van De Brake also stole a base.
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning, as a pair of singles were followed by a Smith RBI-groundout and a two-run homer from Montez to right field.
In the third,
Kyle Manzardo was hit by a pitch and Smith muscled a single through the right side before Montez hammered a 1-0 pitch deep into the night over the right field fence for a 3-run homer and a 6-0 WSU lead. In the bottom of the inning, Hawaii used four hits, an error and a pair of Cougar wild pitches to plate two runs.
Mills bounced back after allowing the two runs in the third, retiring the next nine hitters before surrendering a two-out walk in the sixth. Mills ended the frame by snagging a one-hop comebacker and raced to the bag himself for the final out.
In the seventh, Mills allowed a leadoff single but retired the next three batters to preserve the 6-2 lead after seven innings.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Collin Montez hit his 1
st homer of the season, 6
th of his career
Montez recorded WSU's first multiple-HR game since he hit 2 at Saint Mary's last season
Kyle Manzardo has hit safely in all 5 games to start 2020
Gianni Tomasi singled to left in the 6
th inning to record his 1
st career hit as a Coug
Jack Smith recorded his second 2-hit game of the season
Justin Van De Brake recorded his first career 2-hit game as a Coug and stole a base
Nate Swarts recorded his first career stolen base
NEXT UP
The series continues Friday at 8:35 p.m. (PT).