Washington State University Athletics
Washington State University
25-22, 12-16
Washington
19-29, 5-20
Cougars Back Brandon White With Big Inning to Take Apple Cup Opener
May 27, 2021 | Baseball
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The Cougars used an eight-run sixth inning to improve to 25-22 overall to clinch their first winning season since 2015 and improved to 12-16 in Pac-12 Conference play, the most conference wins since 2014.
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Jack Smith collected three hits including a key two-run single in the sixth inning, Nate Swarts doubled twice and drove in two runs, Kodie Kolden scored twice and Preston Clifford homered for Washington State. White did not allow a hit into the sixth inning, struck out six and allowed just one unearned run on two hits in six innings to notch his team-leading sixth win of the season.
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Washington (19-29, 5-20 Pac-12) was held to just four hits and took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning before allowing eight runs in the bottom of the sixth.
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KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
WSU received a two-out double from Peterson in the first but left him stranded and later had a runner doubled off at first to end the fifth inning. Both starting pitchers were effective early on as White took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before UW led off the inning with a double to right field and later took a 1-0 lead with a line drive single to centerfield.
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The Cougars answered in a big win in the bottom of the inning. Clifford led off the inning with a two-strike opposite field home run to right field that tied the game at 1-1. Kyle Manzardo reached on a UW fielding error with one out, Tristan Peterson walked and following a passed ball, Collin Montez bounced an infield single over the drawn-in infield and Manzardo jogged home for the go-ahead run. Jacob McKeon greeted a new UW reliever with an RBI-double to left field and Smith followed with a two-run single back up the middle for a 4-1 advantage. Swarts doubled home two more runs and Kolden capped the scoring with a line drive single to centerfield to score Swarts for an 8-1 lead.
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Cougar reliever Michael Newstrom work scoreless seventh and eighth innings before Caden Kaelber posted a scoreless ninth.
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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Preston Clifford hit his first career homer
Michael Newstrom added to his WSU single-season record with his 33rd appearance
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NEXT UP
The series continues Friday at 3:05 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.
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TOP SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Guy Pitzer, who has spent decades as an educator in Washington state, and, within field services, has helped place thousands of teachers, is now officially retired and got to throw out today's @wsucougarbsb first pitch. Thank you Guy. Enjoy retirement! #GoCougs #HeThrewAStrike pic.twitter.com/rPRQQ528Kq
— WSU College of Ed (@wsucoe) May 27, 2021
Three up and Three down for @Brandon_white3 in the 1st!
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) May 27, 2021
WATCH | https://t.co/JZAPkDObMI#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/bTpwI9NdfY
Home Run No. 1 for Preston Clifford!#GoCougs | @cliffford_2 pic.twitter.com/JNlJHs5PL8
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) May 27, 2021
The Cougs take the lead in the 6th!
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) May 28, 2021
B6 | 2-1 Cougs
WATCH | https://t.co/JZAPkDObMI#GoCougs | @C_M0nt3z pic.twitter.com/vh6Rb0xGJN
The senior @JackSmith365 delivers in the 6th!
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) May 28, 2021
B6 | 5-1 Cougs
WATCH | https://t.co/JZAPkE5Nbi#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/3neFkTbhwf
Rawlings Player of the Game: Jack Smith
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) May 28, 2021
📊 3-4, 3 singles, 2 RBI, Run@wsucougarbsb | #GoCougs | @RawlingsSports pic.twitter.com/SaCV33M34q
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: White, Brandon (6-4)
L: Gerling, Logan (2-6)
Batting:
2B: Fontenelle, Cole 1 ; Brown, Michael 2
RBI: Hsue, Noah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brown, Michael 1
SB: Viltz, Preston 1
PO: Snyder, Michael 1
Batting:
2B: Peterson, Tristan 1 ; McKeon, Jacob 1 ; Swarts, Nate 2
HR: Clifford, Preston 1
RBI: Kolden, Kodie 1 ; Montez, Collin 1 ; McKeon, Jacob 1 ; Smith, Jack 2 ; Swarts, Nate 2 ; Clifford, Preston 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Manzardo, Kyle 1 ; Peterson, Tristan 1 ; Montez, Collin 1 ; McKeon, Jacob 1 ; Smith, Jack 1 ; Meyer, Jake 1 ; Swarts, Nate 1 ; Clifford, Preston 1
CS: Montez, Collin 1
