With a career performance from outfielder Max Hartman, Washington State baseball cruised to a 9-3 victory over the University of Portland on Monday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field.
Hartman finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs, headlined by a solo home run to deep center field in the fourth inning. The Cougars (19-17) utilized a relentless 12-hit attack and a dominant start on the mound to move back above the .500 mark and continue a recent 5-1 stretch.
WSU Third Baseman Dane Chavez makes a hit against University of Portland, April 13, 2026.
WSU ignited the offense in the opening frame, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Hartman sparked the rally with an RBI double to right field to score Gavin Roy. Mason Pirello followed with a two-run double, and Cam Macleod capped the frame with an RBI single.
The Cougars continued to build on their momentum in the middle innings. Hartman’s fourth-inning blast pushed the cushion to 7-0. He added another RBI double in the sixth to bring home Dane Chavez, followed by an RBI single from Ryan Skjonsby to make it 9-1.
On the mound, Brock Blatter (1-1) earned his first win of the season with an efficient performance. Blatter allowed just one hit and two walks over four scoreless innings while striking out three.
Blatter credited the pitching staff’s recent success to a simplified mental approach emphasized by the coaching staff.
WSU Outfielder Dustin Robinson catches a hit to the right field against University of Portland, April 13, 2026.
“Taking it pitch by pitch, we talk about win this pitch, and be present for this pitch, so I think that’s something we are doing well,” Blatter said when asked about the team’s 5-1 run. “Competing and going at guys.”
Taber Fast provided three innings of relief, and Rylan Haider shut the door over the final two frames, striking out two to seal the victory.
Portland (20-14) finally broke through in the fifth on a Cougar error before Dakota Chun launched a two-run home run to right-center in the seventh. However, it was not enough to overcome the early deficit, as the Pilots managed only four hits on the day.
The Cougars head back on the road Wednesday for a non-conference matchup at Utah Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
