PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University defeated Utah Valley University, 11-0, on Sunday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Washington.
WSU (22-23) used a dominant pitching performance to sweep the non-conference weekend series and hold the UVU (16-31) bats in check.
Mitch Moralez led the way for the Wolverines offensively, going 2-for-4, and
Copper Hansen went 1-for-4.
Moralez got his first of two hits on the day with an infield single to third to open up the ballgame for the Wolverines. Washington State starting pitcher McKabe Cottrell got the last two outs via strikeout to end the inning for the Wolverines.
Connor Hall worked from behind in the count to draw a 3-2 walk in the top of the third with the Wolverines looking to rally from a 2-0 deficit. Cottrell came up with a groundout and an inning-ending strikeout.
WSU took a 3-0 lead by adding one run in the third.
Spencer Olsen drew a one-out free pass but was stranded on the bases.
The Pac-12 Cougars added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to take a 6-0 lead. Moralez reached in the sixth with a single to center before
Trey Cutchen hit into a double play to end the inning.
Copper Hansen reached in the eighth on a single through the right side with one out. Dakota Hawkins got back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat in the eight. WSU added four runs in the last of the eighth to pull away for the 11-0 victory.
Cottrell (2-6) picks up the win for Washington State, going 7.0 shutout innings with two hits on nine strikeouts.
Mason Gray (2-4) got the loss going 5.2 innings on the hill for Utah Valley.
Utah Valley will continue a current nine-game trip on Monday against Lower Columbia College out of the NWAC with a 6:00 p.m. MT/ 5:00 p.m. PT first pitch from Story Field in Longview, Washington. The contest will mark a homecoming of sorts for head coach
Eddie Smith, who previously spent four seasons as the head man at LCC. Following the game, the Wolverines will continue south for a midweek game on Wednesday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m. MT/ 2:00 p.m. PT at Portland out of the West Coast Conference.
