SWX Right Now-Sports News for Washington and IdahoCougar baseball off to 9-0 start with win over Utah

Cougar baseball off to 9-0 start with win over Utah

PULLMAN, Wash. – Garry Kuykendall collected three hits and drove in three runs to lead Washington State past Utah 10-4 in nonconference baseball at Bailey-Brayton Field, Saturday.

With the victory, the Cougars (9-0) are off to their best start since 1988 and have a nine-game winning streak for the first time since 1993.

After WSU scored on an error in the first and Utah (5-5) tied the game in the third, the Cougars tallied four times in their half of the third. Matt Argyropoulos doubled in two runs and Matt Fanelli and Michael Weber each contributed a run-scoring double with two outs. Byrn Card (1-1) pitched three innings and took the loss for the Utes.

"Any time you can score with two outs, it means you are competitive," WSU Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "Our guys are doing a good job of extending innings and putting pressure on the opponent."

Utah closed within 5-3 in the fourth, but the Cougars got a run back in the bottom of the frame on a triple by Shea Vucinich and a bunt single by Kuykendall.

Utah scored once in the sixth before Kuykendall knocked in two runs with a two-out double in the bottom of the inning to give WSU an 8-4 advantage. The Cougars capped the scoring in the seventh on a two-out, two-run single by Vucinich.

Freshman Richie Ochoa (1-0) earned the victory after relieving starter James Wise, who lasted four and two-thirds innings. Paris Shewey pitched three-shutout innings and struck out two for the save.

The teams conclude their four-game series, Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.