Cougar Open Conference Play with a Shutout - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA

Cougar Open Conference Play with a Shutout

TUCSON, Ariz. – J.D. Leckenby and a pair of relievers combined for a shutout as Washington State opened its Pac-12 season with a 6-0 victory over No. 6 Arizona at Hi Corbett Field, Friday.

Leckenby (3-2) gave up five hits, walked three and struck out four in 6 1/3 innings. Richie Ochoa induced a double play ground ball to end the seventh and Kellen Camus recorded the final-six outs for the Cougars (10-6, 1-0 Pac-12). The win broke a six-game losing streak in Tucson against the Wildcats (14-4, 0-1 Pac-12).

"We played a complete game tonight," Washington State Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "It was key for us to score early and put pressure on (Arizona starter Kurt) Heyer. We did a good job of running his pitch count up and J.D. (Leckenby) was great for us."

The Cougars scored a run in each of the first-four innings against Heyer (4-1), who entered the game with a 0.58 ERA. In the first, Jason Monda singled with one out. After a force out, Derek Jones doubled to score Taylor Ard with the first run of the game.

Tommy Richards doubled to lead off the second. After Ian Sagdal singled, Richards came home on a ground out by Patrick Claussen. Monda singled to open the third. Back-to-back walks followed to Ard and Jones before Adam Nelubowich's sacrifice fly gave Washington State a 3-0 lead.

Sagdal reached on a three-base error leading off the fourth and Claussen singled to give the Cougars a 4-0 advantage.

Washington State added a run in the seventh with two outs on a bunt single by Nelubowich, a walk to Richards and an RBI-single by Sagdal. The Cougars capped the scoring in the eighth when P.J. Jones led off with a walk and scored on a two-out double by Ard.