Washington State (10-7, 1-1 Pac-12) started off Saturday night as they usually do. Put a run up on the scoreboard to pressure the opponent.
The top of the first was the only typical frame for the Cougar offense this time around. Arizona State (11-3-1, 1-1 Pac-12) tied the game in their half of the first then rode the arm of Ryan Kellogg to a 4-1 Pac-12 win and even the series at a game apiece.
The Sun Devils capitalized on a WSU error in the bottom of the third to plate three runs. That was more than enough for Kellogg who turned in another brilliant pitching performance going 7 innings for his fourth win of the season.
Coach Donnie Marbut got a nice effort from Tanner Chelborad (2-3) as well. Chelborad did what a starting pitcher is supposed to do by going six innings and giving up just one earned run. He gave the Cougs an opportunity to pick up a win but the crimson and gray bats were silenced. Trek Stemp and Yale Rosen were the only guys to reach base safely. Each collected a pair of knocks. When your team manages just four hits, more times than not they lose the ball game, which proved to be the case.
The rubber game of this series is scheduled for 12:30pm at Packard Stadium in Tempe, AZ. It’s expected another decent crowd will be on hand for Pac-12 baseball, likely exceeding the 3,198 in the stands Saturday night.
GO COUGS!!!