Ninth-Inning Comeback Held Off By Rhode Island, Cougars Take Series

Sunday, March 3

Pullman, WA

1:05 PM

Washington State University

7-4

Rhode Island

2-7

Rhode Island

Washington State

Ninth-Inning Comeback Held Off By Rhode Island, Cougars Take Series

March 03, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score WSU-Rhode Island Box Score 3

By: Washington State Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. (March 3, 2024) – Washington State brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning but could not complete the comeback and dropped the series-finale 6-3 to Rhode Island at Bailey-Brayton Field Sunday afternoon.

The Cougars (7-4) took two of the three during the home-opening series after sweeping Saturday's doubleheader, 10-4 and 17-7.

Catcher Jacob Morrow and third baseman Cole Cramer each had two hits while centerfielder Nate Swarts had an RBI-double and second baseman Crew Parke had a two-run double. Cougar starting pitcher Grant Taylor, fired four no-hit innings and struck out five after starting and working one inning in Friday's opener before snow suspended play in the first inning.

WSU scored three times in the second inning but Rhode Island avoided the series sweep with a three-run fifth after Taylor exited and scored three times in the ninth to leave Pullman with a win.

KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
In the second inning, the Cougars used four straight hits to score three runs as Swarts doubled off the left field wall to drive in a run and Parke followed with a two-run double to left-centerfield.

Taylor allowed just one baserunner on a two-out hit-by-pitch in the first inning but retired the next 10 hitters he faced for four scoreless, no-hit innings. Taylor, who had started Friday's opener and worked an inning before snow suspended play, gave way to the bullpen to start the fifth inning.

In the fifth, Rhode Island got to the bullpen with three runs on a pair of walks and two singles to plate three runs and evened things at three.

In the seventh, Joey Kramer was hit by a pitch and Morrow pulled a single through the left side to put runners on first and second with nobody out. The Rhode Island bullpen induced a long flyball to right field that saw the runner move up to third but the next batter popped out and pinch-hitter Ely Kennel lined out to second to end the threat.

In the eighth, Rhode Island put runners on first and second with two outs and the Cougars called upon closer Chase Grillo who ended the threat with a strikeout on three pitches. In the WSU eighth, Alan Shibley doubled to deep right centerfield and Casen Taggart was hit by a pitch but Joey Kramer just missed a go-ahead home run and flew out to the warning track in left field.

In the ninth, Rhode Island worked a leadoff walk, bunted the runner up to second and scored the go-ahead run on a single through the left side. The Rams pushed the lead to 6-3 with a two-run home run to left.

In the bottom of the inning, Morrow worked a leadoff walk and Cramer followed with a single through the right side but the Rhode Island bullpen ended the comeback attempt with a flyout and pair of strikeouts.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Cole Cramer singled in the 2^nd inning, has reached base in all 11 games in 2024
Nate Swarts doubled in the 2^nd inning, has reached base in 10 straight games
Alan Shibley doubled in the 8^th inning, has reached base in all 11 games in 2024
Max Hartman's 10-game hitting streak was snapped
Casen Taggart's 8-game hitting streak was snapped

NEXT UP
WSU opens Pac-12 Conference play hosting Utah next weekend beginning Friday at 4:05 p.m.