TUCSON, Ariz. – Washington State (10-18 overall, 3-8 Pac-12) held Arizona (19-12 overall, 4-7 Pac-12) to just two runs and three hits tonight as they defeated the Wildcats by a score of 6-2. The Wildcats allowed three unearned runs on three errors and left 13 men on base.
It was a rocky start for the Wildcats as Washington State plated a pair of runs in the top of the first. Trek Stemp led off by reaching via an error and advanced to second. Weston Hatten brought him home on a single to left field and then Ty Johnson brought home Hatten on a single of his own.
After Washington State starter Ryan Ward stranded a pair of Wildcats in the first inning, the Cougars got right back to work at the plate in the bottom of the second. Jack Strunc led off with a double and advanced to third on a bunt. He made it home after another Arizona error and then Dugan Shirer drove in Shane Matheny on a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-0 Washington State.
The Cougars scored two more runs in the top of the fourth on singles by Stefan Van Horn and Stemp to make the score 6-0 before the Wildcats could manage a hit.
Zach Gibbons ended the no hitter after three innings with a single to right field in the fourth inning. The senior has now reached base in all 28 games he has played this season. He would then come home to score on a wild pitch to make the score 6-1 Washington State.
After a few scoreless innings by both pitching staffs, Arizona threatened in the bottom of the eighth. Ryan Aguilar led off with a double to extend his on-base streak to 31 games. Alfonso Rivas III walked and Kyle Lewis was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Casey Bowman came on to pinch hit and flew out to left field, ending Arizona's rally.
Arizona got something going again in the bottom of the ninth after Ramer drew his fourth walk of the game and Oliva singled. After Washington State made a pitching change, Sawyer Gieseke struck out and Aguilar walked to load the bases with one out. Gibbons grounded into a fielder's choice to plate a run for the Wildcats and make the score 6-2, but Rivas struck out to end the game.
Due to impending weather, game three of the series will begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. MST.
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