After a slow start through the first five innings, Washington State erupted late to secure a 10-0 shutout win over Seattle University on Tuesday afternoon at Bannerwood Ballpark in Bellevue.
Four Cougar pitchers combined to allow just two hits, as Washington State controlled the game on the mound and pulled away with a dominant sixth inning.
The game opened with early opportunities for both sides, but neither could capitalize. Seattle U threatened in the first with a triple and a walk, but Brock Blatter worked out of trouble to keep the game scoreless.
Washington State broke through in the third inning when freshman Mason Pirello launched a solo home run to left field for a 1-0 lead. It marked his first career home run and gave the Cougars momentum early. The Cougars added another run in the fourth. Ollie Obenour led off with a double and later scored on a squeeze bunt from Noah Thein, extending the lead to 2-0.
That margin held until the sixth, when Washington State delivered a huge blow. The Cougars scored six runs in the inning on three hits, taking advantage of defensive errors and wild pitches. Ryan Skjonsby started the rally with an RBI single before a wild pitch brought in another run. Pirello added an RBI single, and Max Hartman followed with an RBI double as the lead lengthened to 8-0.
On the mound, Blatter worked two scoreless innings before Trevor Stowe earned the win with two shutout frames in relief. Erik Rodriguez and Ryan Falke combined three scoreless innings to end the game, with Falke striking out four over the final two innings.
Washington State added two more runs in the seventh. Kyler Northrop drove in a run with a single, and Gavin Roy followed with an RBI single to cap the scoring at 10-0 and bring the mercy rule into effect in just seven innings.
Pirello led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Roy added two hits and extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Six different Cougars recorded an RBI in the win.
Washington State improved to 12-15 with the victory, while Seattle U fell to 6-18. The teams will meet again May 12 in Pullman for the Cougars regular season finale.
