WSU loses on walk-off single

Cougars tie game in top of the ninth, fall short in bottom of the ninth

Donovan Blas

WSU dropped game two 3-2 of the three-game series against the California State University Bakersfield Roadrunners at Hardt Field by a walk-off RBI single.

The game was tightly contested all the way through. An RBI single from redshirt sophomore pinch hitter RJ Lan tied the game at two runs apiece in the top of the ninth inning.

The Cougars would fall in the bottom of the ninth on a one-out, walk-off single from CSUB senior right fielder Eric Charles.

Both teams held strong defensively, only allowing one hit and zero runs combined through the first two innings.

An error, a walk and a sacrifice bunt would put runners on second and third for the Cougars. Junior left fielder Justin Van De Brake would ultimately bring in a run with an RBI single giving WSU a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, the Roadrunners looked to respond with a lead-off single, but senior pitcher A.J. Block answered with a pick-off, flyout and a strikeout to close out the inning.

Block pitched seven innings allowing six hits and one earned run. He cruised through the first six innings allowing only four hits and zero runs.

In the seventh inning, Block would give up a double down the left-field line. The Roadrunners then produced an RBI single to tie the game 1-1.

WSU looked to answer back in the eighth inning with a strong stand-up double from sophomore first baseman Kyle Manzardo. However, a fielder’s choice and groundout would halt their push.

In bottom of the eighth inning, junior pitcher Bryce Moyle came in to relieve Block. Despite a quick two outs, an error by junior third baseman Jack Smith and a wild pitch put a runner in scoring position.

After a walk, junior left fielder Damian Henderson gave CSUB a 2-1 lead with an RBI single up the middle.

In the ninth inning, WSU put a runner on third base with a lead-off walk, sacrifice bunt and an advance from a groundout. With two outs, Lan delivered an RBI single, tying the game 2-2.

WSU made another pitching change in the bottom of the ninth inning, bringing in junior pitcher Hayden Rosenkrantz for Moyle.

The Roadrunners would respond with a lead-off single to left and a sacrifice bunt to put the game-winning run on second. This led to an RBI walk-off single and the Cougars falling short in game two 3-2.