WSU baseball beat the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors in Les Murakami Stadium 6-2, taking game one of this four-game series in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Cougars (2-3) secured their second win of the season with the help of Collin Montez’s two home runs and five RBIs at the plate. The pitchers also had a strong performance combining for 10 strikeouts and allowing six hits and two runs scored.

Sophomore pitcher Zane Mills secured his second win of the season, throwing for seven strikeouts, five hits and two runs in seven innings pitched. Junior Bryce Moyle added three strikeouts with zero runs and no hits through two innings in relief.

WSU started off strong with two singles, putting runners on first and second. A sacrifice groundout from junior third baseman Jack Smith score junior left fielder Justin Van De Brake and put a runner on third.

Montez hit a two-run homer giving WSU a 3-0 lead over the Rainbow Warriors (5-2).

In the top of the third, the Cougars looked to add to their lead by a single and a walk putting runners on first and third with two outs already on the board. Montez struck again with his second homerun of the day racking up three more RBIs and extending the lead to 6-0.

Montez would finish his performance 2-4 from the plate with two runs and five RBIs in his back pocket leading the Cougar’s offense. Smith also recorded a 2-4 performance at the plate with one run and one RBI.

However, in the bottom of the third, the Rainbow Warriors looked to spark a comeback racking up their first two runs of the game through four singles and an error from junior second baseman Garrett Gouldsmith, making the game 6-2.

Despite this surge in the third inning from Hawaii, WSU’s defense held strong by halting the Rainbow Warriors’ push.

Mills and Moyle cruised the rest of the way, leading the Cougars’ defense allowing two hits and zero runs the remainder of the game.

In the bottom of the ninth, small hope was given by a double putting a runner on second with one out for the Rainbow Warriors. However, two consecutive groundouts closed the game giving WSU a 6-2 game one win.

The Cougars play the Rainbow Warriors again at 8:35 p.m. PST Saturday in Les Murakami Stadium.

The game will be broadcast on BigWest.TV or aired on CBS Sports Radio Hawai’i.