PULLMAN, Wash. — A big offensive inning in the first was not enough for Seattle U baseball (13-26), as the Redhawks dropped a 16-8 decision, in a Wednesday night slugfest against Washington State (22-17) in Pullman. Despite eight different Redhawks recording a hit, Seattle U was on the short side of the team hit column, trailing WSU, 18-13.
The Seattle U offense got off to a hot start in the first, scoring four runs on four hits, as the entire lineup made a trip to the plate. The Redhawks wasted little time putting Washington State under pressure as they loaded the bases with a one-out double from Connor O'Brien before Justin Mazzone and Shane Jamison drew back-to-back walks.
A wild pitch then moved the Redhawk runners 90 feet, with O'Brien tallying the game's first run. Jamison also touched home on a bounced pitch after Julian Kodama drove-in Mazzone for his 12th RBI of the season. Chase Wells then recorded his eighth RBI of the year with a base knock the scored Kodama, making it 4-0.
From there, Seattle U was held scoreless over the next four innings, while the bats quickly cooled and were 3-for-15 during that stretch. On the opposite side, the Cougar offense surged as it scored three runs in the first and second, before plating five in the third and fifth for a 16-4 lead.
In the sixth, the SU bats started going again as they pushed two across, trimming the deficit the to 16-6, with eight batters making an appearance at the dish.
Drake Maningo and Austin Lively reached in back-to-back fashion to lead of the frame. They then moved into scoring position on hit on from Kyle Sherick, before coming in, thanks to a hit by Gavin Rork.The two-run single moved Rork's season RBI total to nine. The Redhawks threatened to slice further into the deficit as they loaded the bases, but were unable to push additional runs across.
The Redhawks then added to the cause late, scoring once in seventh and once in the eighth, but were unable close the gap any further.
On the mound, Redhawk starter Morgan White (1-3) was charged with the loss after surrendering six runs on five hits in 1.1 innings. Peter Chronowski (1.2 IP) and Nestor German (1.0 IP) then made relief appearances, each allowing five runs on five hits. Alex Jemal then worked a scoreless 2.2 innings, scattering three hits. Desmond Parisotto and Kohl Petersen also worked in relief.
At the plate, Kodama led the Redhawks with a 3-for-5 outing. It was fifth three-game this season and his first since facing Tarleton on April 9. Also with a multi-hit day was Maningo, who was 2-for-4 with a walk, and Rork who went 2-for-5 with a double in fourth. Collectively, Seattle U finished the night with 13 runners stranded, including nine in scoring position.
Next Up: The Redhawks next scheduled contest is a four-game series with conference-newcomer, Dixie State, in St. George, Utah on May 14-16.