ST. GEORGE, Utah (Feb. 18, 2024) – Washington State recorded 10 hits and hit two more home runs to back starter Duke Brotherton in a series-clinching 5-1 victory at Utah Tech Sunday afternoon.
 
Four Cougars (3-1) collected two-hit games as Casen Taggart and Nate Swarts both homered, Alan Shibley doubled and tripled while Trey Cruz came off the bench to deliver a two-run triple. Brotherton worked a career-high four innings and allowed just the one run, reliever Kevin Haynes worked three scoreless innings, Andrew Baughn worked a scoreless eighth and Chase Grillo closed things out in the ninth.
 
KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
In the second the Cougars used the long ball for an early lead as Taggart hit a no-doubter for a solo shot before Swarts launched a two-run shot over the scoreboard in the left-centerfield for a 3-0 lead.
 
Utah Tech got a run back in the second before Brotherton settled in posted back-to-back zeros in the third and fourth innings. In the fifth, Cruz had entered the game the prior half inning on defense and pulled the first pitch he saw just inside the first base bag and down the right field line for a two-run triple, his first career hit and a 5-1 Cougar lead.
 
In the sixth, the Trailblazers threatened with runners on the corners and one out but reliever Kevin Haynes ended the threat with a 6-4-3 groundball double play.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Kyle Russell had his 8-game on-base streak snapped
Trey Cruz recorded his first hit as a Coug
Reliever Kevin Haynes made his Cougar debut
 
NEXT UP
WSU heads to Texas for a four-game road trip next weekend beginning with the Round Rock Classic to face Kentucky Friday, Kansas Saturday and Texas State Sunday before closing the trip with a Tuesday matchup at fifth-ranked TCU.