Cougs Best Sun Devils To Take Series

Realizing their potential, the Washington State Cougars (11-7, 2-1 Pac-12) earned a win over No. 14 Arizona State (12-7-1, 1-2 Pac-12) Sunday afternoon by a final of 11-8. The Cougs proved they have the talent to play with anyone in the nation by maximizing timely hitting and adequate pitching.

"“This weekend was a solid effort by our club,” Cougar Coach Donnie Marbut said. “We won the two games where we were the best team on the field.”"

In getting their run toward a Pac-12 Championship underway in a positive fashion, WSU accomplished a first in school history. The Cougs have never taken a series from the Sun Devils on their home field. We’re not talking about something rarely happening, we’re talking never traveling to Tempe, AZ and coming away having bested Arizona State. All that changed with another double-digit explosion of scoring by Washington State.

How rich is the history of baseball at ASU? Glad you asked. They have won the conference championship three of the last five years. It would be four of six, but their 44-wins in the 2007 season was vacated by the NCAA for recruiting violations.

Once again it was the hot Cougar bats that won the day. They collected 11-hits, including a 3-hit performance by Jason Monda. Plating 11 runs with 11-hits is the definition of offensive efficiency.

Not to be denied in front of hometown fans, Arizona State rapped out 16-hits off Cougar pitching.

Scott Simon (1-0) turned in five innings of impressive work and began the bottom of the sixth with WSU leading 7-1. From that point forward, things got interesting. Simon and reliever Kellen Camus struggled eventually yielding 3-runs.

Coach Marbut saw his offense go back to work and stretch the lead back to 10-4 thanks to a 3-run top of the seventh.

It’s still very early in the season, but no question this WSU squad has the talent and coaching to get the job done. Winning two of three on the road in the Pac-12 proves the point.

Washington State is scheduled to play their next nine games at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman. Next game is this coming Tuesday against rival Gonzaga (11-6-1) with the first pitch slated for 6pm. There will be a WSU promotion as well… “$2 Tuesday”

GO COUGS!!!
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WASHINGTON STATE NOTES
– Despite facing one of the top pitching staffs in the nation this past weekend, the entire Washington State ball club is hitting at an amazing .320 clip.
– Trek Stemp leads WSU with a .406 average followed by Nick Tanielu at .405 on the season.
– Jason Monda has proved to be extremely effective as a short reliever. In six appearances he’s fanned 9 opponents in 8 innings of work while giving up just 1 walk.