WSU Puts Tying Run On in Ninth, Drop Series Opener to Utah

Friday, April 1

Pullman, WA

3:05 PM

Washington State University

9-16, 1-9

Utah

16-9-1, 3-4

Utah

Washington State

April 01, 2022 | Baseball

Box Score WSU-Utah BOX 1

By: Washington State Athletic Communications

PULLMAN, Wash. (April 1, 2022) – Washington State put the tying run on second base in the ninth inning but Utah (16-9-1, 3-4 Pac-12) held on for a 10-9 win in the series-opener at Bailey-Brayton Field Friday afternoon.

The Cougars (9-16, 1-9 Pac-12) collected 15 hits, receiving three-hit games from Kodie Kolden and Collin Montez but Utah hit three home runs in a six-run second inning and withstood WSU's four-run ninth inning.

KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
In the first, Kolden led off the inning with a double to left field and Smith followed with RBI-single through the right side to score Kolden for a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Utah erupted for six runs on three home runs for a 6-1 advantage. The Cougars answered with a two-out two-run single into centerfield to make it a three-run game.

WSU chipped away with an RBI-double from Montez in the third and a run-scoring sacrifice fly from Smith in the fourth to make it a 6-5 game. The Utes pushed their lead back to two with a two-out RBI-single back up the middle in the sixth inning.

In the seventh, WSU put two runners on with singles from Matthews and Kyle Russell with one out but the Utah bullpen ended the threat with a strikeout and long fly out down the right field line, preserving the Ute lead 7-5.

Utah added two more runs with a two-out two-run double to left-centerfield in the eighth and tacked on one more in the ninth for a 10-5 advantage.

In the WSU ninth, a single and pair of walks loaded the bases with one out before Montez blooped a single into center field to score a run and Justin Van De Brake followed with a two-run single into right-centerfield. Following a Utah pitching change, WSU made it a one-run game with a Jake Meyer run-scoring sacrifice fly but the Ute bullpen ended the game with a strikeout with the tying on second.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Justin Van De Brake started in right field for the 1^st time in 2022, made 10 starts in RF last season
Kolden matched his season-high with 3 hits (vs. Texas A&M)

NEXT UP
The series continues Saturday at 2:05 p.m.

TOP SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

The Cougs strike 1st!

Watch | https://t.co/Sfy6NpVZbe#GoCougs | @JackSmith365 pic.twitter.com/7Hkxsf1wVT
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) April 1, 2022

Picture perfect day for 1st game of @wsucougarbsb series with Utah. @WSU_Cougar_Pres & I are excited to be tailgating with other #Cougfamily in RV lot. First time RVing in Pullman. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/ksKMqDnXXr
— Dr. Noel Schulz (@WSU_Noel_Schulz) April 1, 2022

#GoCougs | @kodiekolden pic.twitter.com/GaGufAJI5a
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) April 1, 2022

#GoCougs | @C_M0nt3z pic.twitter.com/5om281Ljmh
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) April 1, 2022

Thanks @ButchTCougar for stopping by to see @WSU_Cougar_Pres & me today at @wsucougarbsb. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Wxfxq0PeWP
— Dr. Noel Schulz (@WSU_Noel_Schulz) April 2, 2022