March 7, 2010

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. - Rick Anton pitched seven-solid innings and Utah defeated Washington State 4-1 in nonconference baseball, Sunday at Bailey-Brayton Field.

With the victory, the Utes (6-5) avoided a four-game weekend sweep at the hands of the Cougars (9-1). Anton (2-1) limited WSU to one run on four hits and struck out nine.

"Utah outplayed us today," WSU Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "Anton pitched a great game, their defense was solid and their bullpen did a nice job."

Devin Walker gave Utah a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the second off WSU starter and loser Rusty Shellhorn (0-1). Michael Beltran added a sacrifice fly in the third and C.J. Cron homered in the fourth.

The Cougars picked up their run in the eighth on a double by Kyle Buchanan and a pinch hit-single by Brett Jacobs. Utah added a run in the ninth on a RBI-double by Cron.

WSU begins an eight-game road trip at Texas A&M, Friday, March 12. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Central/4:35 p.m. Pacific.

WSU NOTES
WSU pinch hitters are 10-for-22 (.455) this season...Cougar bullpen is 3-0 with three saves and a 2.68 earned run average...WSU had an eight-game home winning streak snapped.