PULLMAN, Wash. — After rallying in the fourth, the Seattle U bats struggled down the stretch as the Redhawks registered just four hits during the last five innings. As a result, the Redhawks (4-5) dropped game two of three-game series to Washington State (9-1) on Saturday.
"We were not good today on the mound or defensively," said Seattle U head coach Donny Harrel. "We gave them too many opportunities and they took advantage of that like a good teams does. We'll regroup and look to be better with our starter tomorrow and try to find ways to get the lead and keep it."
The Cougars opened the afternoon with a 3-0 lead early, scoring once in the first and twice in the second. The Redhawks then scored two in the third, before claiming a 5-3 lead in the fourth. Washington State then took control as it tallied eight runs over the three innings. SU scored twice in the eighth but a rally fell short as WSU tacked on three more in the home half for good measure.
Seattle U stranded 10 runners and was outhit by the Cougars, 16-9.
Kyle Sherick accounted for the first Redhawk in third, scoring on from third on Gavin Rork sac fly. After reaching on a hit by pitch, Sherick stole second before an errant pick-off attempt him 90 feet from home. Two batters later, Seattle U pulled back another as Julian Kodama drove in Justin Mazzone, following his two-out double.
The Redhawks then capitalized on a slew of Cougar miscues as they pushed three runs across in the fourth. Matt Boissoneault scored the tying run early in the frame, as WSU was charged with a throwing error. Grant Heiser reached first as a result of the over throw to first despite striking out.
Seattle U then loaded the bases with two outs, which resulted in the Cougars turning to the bullpen. The WSU reliever then spiked a pair of pitches allowing Hesier and Rork to touch home and give Seattle U a 5-3 advantage.
The Redhawk bats were then silenced during the middle innings as they were left hitless in the fifth, sixth and seventh. Derek Gellos snapped the drought with a lead-off knock in eighth. Rork, Connor O'Brien and Mazzone then each registered a two-out single.
Gellos later scored during O'Brien's trip to the plate, while Rork rattled around from second thanks to Mazzone.
After tying the game with a two-run fifth, the Cougars began to pull away as they plated four more in the sixth. Washington State then added insurance late, scoring two in the seventh and three in the eighth.
There was no-decision for Redhawk starter Nestor German as he went two innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits. Riley Sinclair was charged with the loss after tossing 3 1/3 innings and surrendering four runs on four hits. Alex McBee (1.1 IP), Brady Liddle (0.1 IP) and Desmond Parisotto (1.0 IP) also made relief appearances.
Rork led Seattle U at the plate with a 3-for-3 day, while Mazzone went 2-for-4.
Seattle U will conclude the series in Pullman tomorrow, first pitch from Bailey-Brayton Field slated for 12:05 pm.
For updates and more, follow the team on Twitter (@SeattleUBase) and Instagram (@SeattleUBase) and by downloading the new Go Seattle U app, available for free in the App Store and Google Play.