The Cougars score five runs in the seventh on their way to a 9-4 win against the Pilots
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Portland Pilots dropped their opening game of the River City Classic 9-4 to the Washington State Cougars at Hornet Field on Thursday. The Cougars (7-2) broke open a tie game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and five more in the seventh to seal the victory.
Down 2-0 in the top of the sixth, the Pilots (1-4) scored an unearned run and got an RBI groundout from senior left fielder Matthew Peters to tie the game. Peters finished the game 2 for 4 with 3 RBI’s.
The Cougars, who scored two in the fourth on a two-run home run from Zach McAngus, responded in the bottom of the sixth with two runs off of Portland starter Ari Ronick (0-1). McAngus knocked in a run with a double down the left field line, before Jim Murphy scored McAngus with a single to make it 4-2.
After the Pilots were retired in order in the top of the seventh, junior Josh Roberts replaced Ronick on the hill for Portland. Ronick gave up four runs on seven hits, with one strikeout and no walks in six innings. After the lead-off hitter grounded out to Roberts, the next five Washington State hitters reached base. After a walk, a single and a hit batter loaded the bases, Jay Miller brought home a run with an RBI single through the left side. Paul Gran followed with an RBI single to left field that made it 6-4 Wazzu.
Sophomore Danny Meier then replaced Roberts with the bases still loaded. WSU then scored on a sacrifice fly and a two-run single from McAngus, who finished the day 3 for 4 with 5 RBI’s and two runs scored.
Trailing 9-2 in the top of the eighth, the Pilots scored twice off of WSU reliever Nick Cebula. With runners on first and second, Peters drilled a two-run double to right-center field.
Washington State starter Wayne Daman Jr. (3-0) gave up only four hits, while striking out nine in seven innings to pick up his third win of the season.
Portland totaled six hits, as junior second baseman Andrew Wrisley and junior shortstop Jesse Rodgers also had two hits. Washington State had 12 hits.
The Pilots did not commit an error, while the Cougars made one.
Portland will next be in action Thursday night with a game against North Dakota State at Travis Credit Union Park in Vacaville, Calif., at 7 p.m. The Pilots continue play at the River City Classic with a game on Friday against tournament co-host Sacramento State at 2 p.m. at Hornet Field.
