Box Score PULLMAN, Wash. – The Sacred Heart University baseball team began the game with a run in the top of the first inning, but could not convert on any other scoring opportunities as it fell, 5-1, at Washington State on Thursday night. Jayson Sullivan produced SHU's lone RBI, while extending his season opening hit streak to five games, and Jeff Stoddard scattered two hits and two earned runs over four innings in the loss, which drops the Pioneers to 0-5. Sean Harnett gave up only five hits in seven innings of work while only allowing the lone first inning run, and I. Sagdal went 2-3 with three RBI's to help the Cougars improve to 8-5.
Jesus Medina began the game with a walk and advanced to second on Alex Perry's two strike single, giving SHU runners on first and second with nobody out. After a strikeout, the two each advanced one base on a wild pitch. Sullivan took advantage and gave Sacred Heart the early lead with a groundout to second to plate Medina. Harnett would then strand Perry on third by striking out the next hitter.
The Cougars came right back with one run of their own in the first, albeit without recording a hit. Again it was a leadoff walk that began the inning, and after a wild pitch, WSU also had its first two batters of the game on, as PJ Jones battled to a ten-pitch base on balls. Sagdal moved the two runners up with a sacrifice bunt and just as Sullivan did, C. Frost took advantage of the RBI opportunity with a groundout, but would reach on an error. With runners on first and second with one out, Stoddard got out of the inning by striking out the next two hitters.
Washington State was again benefited by a base on balls and error in the bottom of the second. Following a lead off fly out, J. Strunc worked a walk on the seventh pitch of his at bat. After he stole second, the Pioneers allowed the next two hitters to reach on an error and catcher's interference. With the bases loaded and one run already on the board without a hit, Stoddard looked to work out of the bases loaded jam by getting Jones to foul out to first base on the first pitch. With two outs, it was Sagdal who finally delivered WSU's first hit of the game, singling through the right side to drive in two runs, both of which were unearned. The inning ended with a ground out.
Sacred Heart's best chance to chip into the lead was in the fourth, when it got its first two runners on. Sullivan followed a Zack Short single with one of his own to set up a sacrifice situation for Keith Klebart, which he converted. Again Harnett got out of the jam though, by enduing a fly out to end the inning after he had struck out the first batter.
Washington State added one run in both the fourth and sixth inning. Both came by way of a walk, single, and sacrifice fly.
Mike Lembo,
Dan Wertz, and
Ethan Lonardelli, who was making his first career collegiate appearance, each worked on inning of scoreless relief.
The two teams will continue the four game series tomorrow night with a 6 pm PDT.
