PULLMAN, Wash. – Big innings proved costly as Utah Valley University lost both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday at Washington State, 10-0 and 9-2.
 
The Cougars (9-4) broke open a scoreless pitcher's duel in the first game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. WSU pulled away with a six-run seventh.
 
Utah Valley (3-11) starter Jake Mayer retired 14 of the first 16 batters he faced before running into trouble in the sixth. An error contributed to two of the four runs in the inning coming in unearned. All four runs came with two outs including two on a James Rudkin double to start the scoring.
 
The Wolverines were held to five hits by three different Washington State pitchers. Ryan Walker got the win after lasting 6.2 innings and striking out eight while allowing three hits.
 
In game two, the Cougars quickly took control, scoring six runs in the first inning. WSU sent 12 hitters to the plate in the inning and had eight hits, including four doubles and a triple. Shane Matheny went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs for the Cougars, who had 18 hits as a team.
 
Utah Valley scored its two runs in the third inning, getting a sacrifice fly from Zac Willis and a two-out, RBI double from Jackson Overlund. Willis went 3-for-3 in the game while Overlund had two doubles.
 
The Wolverines will look to avoid a series sweep in Sunday's finale, which is scheduled to begin at noon PT/1 p.m. MT.