The Washington State Cougars put on a clinic at Bannerwood Ballpark, delivering a commanding 10-0 shutout against Seattle U. It was a true team effort, with four pitchers combining to allow just two hits, showcasing the depth and talent of the Cougars' bullpen.
Freshman standout Mason Pirello, hailing from Sammamish, Wash., was a key offensive contributor, racking up three hits and launching his first career home run. The Cougars' lineup was firing on all cylinders, with six different players driving in runs. Gavin Roy continued his hot streak, extending his hitting streak to 14 games, while Pirello, Ollie Obenour, and Ryan Skjonsby each crossed the plate twice.
Brock Blatter set the tone on the mound, starting strong with two innings and a pair of strikeouts. Trevor Stowe followed suit, keeping the Redhawks scoreless through the third and fourth innings. Erik Rodriguez and Ryan Falke closed it out, with Falke striking out four over two perfect innings.
The Cougars broke open a tight 2-0 game in the sixth inning, exploding for six runs. Skjonsby sparked the rally with an RBI single, followed by runs from Roy and Pirello. Max Hartman contributed with an RBI double, and both Pirello and Hartman scored on wild pitches, pushing the lead to 8-0.
In the seventh, Kyler Northrop and Roy added to the tally, sealing the deal with RBI singles. Falke's dominant performance in the final innings ensured the Cougars' victory was never in doubt.
Washington State improved their record to 12-15, while Seattle U fell to 6-18. The teams will face off again on May 12 in Pullman, marking WSU's regular season finale.
Game Highlights:
- Pirello's solo homer in the third set the tone for the Cougars' offense.
- Stowe's clutch pitching in the third inning kept Seattle U from gaining any momentum.
- Obenour's double and Thein's squeeze bunt in the fourth extended the lead.
- The sixth inning was a showcase of offensive prowess, with contributions from multiple players.
- Falke's striking out the side in the sixth highlighted a stellar pitching performance.
Inside the Numbers:
- Roy's infield single in the first extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
- Pirello's first-inning single pushed his hitting streak to six games.
- Obenour and Skjonsby each extended their on-base streaks to 10 games.
- Northrop's hit-by-pitch in the sixth kept his on-base streak alive at nine games.
The Cougars' performance was a blend of strong pitching and timely hitting, setting the stage for an exciting rematch in May.