PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University defeated Utah Valley 9-3 on Friday Night in non-conference action at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Washington. 
 
The Cougars (20-23) scored runs in five straight innings to pull away from UVU (16-29). Spencer Olsen was 2-for-4 with a two-run double, and Trey Cutchen added a late homer for his sixth of the year to tie Olsen for the team lead. Mitch Moralez went 2-for-4 in the opening game of the three-game weekend series between the two teams. 
 
The Wolverines took an early lead in the top of the first inning after Moralez led off with a single to right field, and Cutchen worked a 3-2 walk to put two runners on base. Olsen scored Moralez and Cutchen on a double, just out of the reach of Nate Swarts to put UVU up 2-0.
 
Utah Valley put two runners on base in the second inning with back-to-back singles from Garrett Broussard and Moralez. Cole McMillian got Cutchen to fly out to strand two on the basepaths for UVU. 
 
The Wolverines got base runners aboard in both the third and fourth, with Mick Madsen being walked and left on base in the third. Kyle Coburn got on base with a single to center, but the Washington State starter McMillian got the necessary outs to hold the Wolverines scoreless. 
 
Washington State came from behind, scoring nine unanswered runs to take a 9-2 lead, scoring multiple runs in five straight innings. Kyle Russell and Jacob McKeon went 2-for-3 on the night, with Justin Van De Brake going 2-for-4 with a home run to lead Washington State. 
 
Utah Valley looked to rally late in the game, as Cutchen hit a home run to deep right field to cut into the lead for WSU at 9-3. The next batter, Olsen, singled to center before the inning ended on a strikeout. The bullpen was solid for the Cougars, who retired the final seven UVU hitters to secure the 9-3 victory. 
 
McMillian (4-4) gets the victory going 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and eight strikeouts. Devin Smith (1-4) takes the loss for the Wolverines, throwing 3.0 innings in the contest. Blake Zeleny and Bryson Sanchez both threw 2.0 innings in relief, with Cole Yocum throwing a three-up-and-three-down eighth inning. 
 
The Wolverines and Cougars will continue the series on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. MT/ 2:00 p.m. PT and wrap up the weekend set on Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. MT/ 1:00 p.m. PT start.