PULLMAN, Wash. – For the fifth straight game, the Sacred Heart University baseball team got on the scoreboard first, but once again could not hold off Washington State, losing 5-2 on Saturday evening. Zack Short, who reached base on all four at bats, belted a two-run home run in the first to give SHU the early 2-0 lead, but the Pioneers could only manage two hits the remainder of the game, as they lose their seventh straight to begin the year. Only one Cougar recorded more than one hit, but eight of nine players had at least one, and the pitching staff allowed only four, as WSU is now 10-5 after winning six of seven.

Short's four-bagger came after Ted Shaw reached first with a one out single. The sophomore worked a full count before sending the sixth pitch of the at bat over the left field fence for the early lead.

After failing to score following a one out double in the first, Washington State cut into the lead with a solo home run to center by B. Roberts with one out in the second. T. McDowell then walked and advanced to second on a single by S. Matheny. With runners on first and second with one out, J. Strunc singled to right to tie the game at two.

The Pioneers threatened to break the tie in the top half the third, as Jesus Medina got into scoring position by singling with one out and stealing second. Following a fly out, Short worked a walk and Jayson Sullivan reached on a throwing error to load the bases. WSU starter N. Leonard, who lasted only four innings, got out of the jam with a strikeout.

Washington State immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame, as the first three hitters all recorded hits. Following two straight singles, C. Frost came through with the eventual game-winner, tripling to right center to score both runs. The Cougars would add one more run in the eighth.

Sacred Heart would get only one runner on second in the final six innings, with Short doubling in the eighth. Connor Landers, who gave SHU 3.1 innings of one run relief, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth, which was WSU's best opportunity to add more runs. 

James Cooksey took the loss as he went three innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Dan Wertz relieved Cooksey with one perfect fourth inning, and Ethan Lonardelli came in with one out in the eighth to get two outs. Three Cougars combined for fiving innings of one hit baseball after relieving Leonard, with I. Hamilton striking out the side in the ninth for his sixth save of the season. 

Sacred Heart will look to avoid the four game sweep tomorrow when the two teams meet in the fourth and final game of the series at 3 pm EDT.