PULLMAN, Wash. (April 13, 2024) – Washington State dropped a 13-5 contest to California at Bailey-Brayton Field Saturday afternoon.
Â
Washington State (17-16, 7-10 Pac-12) took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning before California (19-14, 7-10 Pac-12) scored a controversial go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
Nate Swarts collected two hits and scored twice while
Crew Parke added two hits and scored a run.
Â
Cougar starting pitcher
Connor Wilford was impressive, working into the eighth inning while striking out seven.
Â
KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
In third inning, Weise led off the frame with a bunt single down the third base line and scored one batter later on Hartman's RBI-double to right-centerfield.
Â
Wilford worked around a leadoff single in the third inning for a scoreless frame before stranding a Cal runner on third base to end the fifth inning with his fifth strikeout of the day.
Â
In the seventh, Cal used a walk, high bouncing double over the first baseman and down the right field line to put runners on second and third before a high-bouncing groundout to third base allowed the tying run to score.
Â
In the bottom of the inning, Swarts was hit by a pitch and Cramer greeted the new Cal pitcher with a rocket RBI-double past a diving third baseman and down the left field that scored Swarts all the way from first for the lead.
Â
In the eighth, Cal led off the inning with a solo homer to right field to tie the game. Cal had a pair of singles to put runners on the corners, the next batter hit a ground ball back to the WSU pitcher who got the runner at third in a rundown who ran over WSU at the plate. The initial call was the runner was out and ejected but after a lengthy review, was called safe and WSU was called for obstruction, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Cal pulled away with 10 runs in the ninth.
Â
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Nate Swarts singled in the 2nd inning, has reached base in all 23 games played in 2024
Brandham Ponce singled in the 4
th inning for his 1
st hit of the season
Â
NEXT UP
The series concludes Sunday at 12:05 p.m.
Â