Box Score

PASCO, Wash. --- The Washington State Cougars scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning before holding off the Portland Pilots to claim a 4-2 win in a non-conference baseball game played on Tuesday evening at Gesa Stadium.
 
The loss drops Portland’s overall record to 23-17, while the Cougars improve to 24-20.
 
The Pilots got on the board first with a run in the top of the fifth inning and another in the sixth. Chet Thompson led off the fifth with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored the game’s first run on an RBI single by Bo Cornish.
 
In the sixth, Kris Kauppila came to the plate with a runner on second base and two outs. The senior came through with an RBI double down the left field line to hand the Pilots a 2-0 lead.
 
But the lead was short-lived as the Cougars responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead and control of the game. Taylor Ard knocked in the first run with a double to center field before scoring the tying run on a base hit by Tyler Richards. Collin Slaybaugh then gave Wazzu the lead with a two-run single to left field.
 
Portland did get a pair of runners on base with one out in the top of the ninth, but reliever Anthony Drobnick was able to get a strike out and fly out to end the game and pick up his second save of the year.
 
WSU reliever Kellen Camus picks up the win, improving to 2-1 on the year. He relieved starter Kyle Swannack in the sixth and worked 2.0 innings. Camus struck out two, allowed just one hit and didn’t walk a batter.
 
Junior right-hander Chris Johnson (3-3) takes the loss for the Pilots, who used seven pitchers on the night, including all three of their usual weekend starters. Johnson entered the game to start the bottom of the fifth inning and was charged with three runs on four hits. Keeler Brynteson allowed the fourth WSU run.
 
Washington State out-hit UP 12-5, while the Pilots committed the game’s only error.
 
Portland next returns home to host the Saint Mary’s Gaels for a three-game West Coast Conference series this weekend at Joe Etzel Field. Friday’s opener is set for 3 p.m., while first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.