Cougar Bats Blast Brown Saturday

Washington State (13-8) assured themselves a second consecutive series win dominating Brown (1-8) Saturday afternoon by a final score of 14-0.

Whatever Coach Donnie Marbut did to change up practice last Thursday has delivered dividends Friday and Saturday for the Cougs.

It was a great day for baseball on the Palouse where players and fans were treated to a spring combination of sunshine and crisp air. Despite the draw of March Madness, about 500 fans opted to see some top flight college baseball rather than park in front of a flat screen.

In a game filled with Cougar highlights, no question the strong pitching performance by Tanner Chelborad (3-3) stood out.

"“I thought the tone (of the game) today was dictated on the mound. (Tanner) could throw his changeup and his breaking ball for a strike at will. His fastball showed really good (velocity) early…and he had (the game) in hand.” – WSU Coach Donnie Marbut"

Chelborad recorded a career-best 9 strikeouts in 7-innings of near perfect pitching. He gave up just 2-hits. How good was Tanner in this game? The guy needed just 79 pitches to get through seven, 51 of which were strikes. That, my friends, is a student-athlete on his game.

Cougar bats were launching baseballs all over the field once again as witnessed by 18 hits in 8 innings. WSU scored early and often to seize control of this one. With 3 in the first, 4 in the second and 2 in the third, the Cougs relaxed and settled into playing solid baseball the rest of the way.

"“For me, it’s about the number of runs in the innings we score in. I’d rather be a ‘picket fence’ team that scores a run every inning and puts constant pressure on the opponent. Today we had those crooked numbers early. It’s definitely easy to play and easy to pitch when you have a 7,8,9-run lead.” – WSU Coach Donnie Marbut"

The offense collected five extra base hits highlighted by Jason Monda going yard for his third homer of the season. Typical of a Marbut coached ball club, three Cougs were plunked by opposing pitching.

Chris McDowell came on in relief of Chelborad in the eighth and was very effective striking out two and giving up just one hit.

The final game of this three-game set with Brown is scheduled to start at 12noon Sunday afternoon with an online stream available on the Pac-12 Network.

GO COUGS!!!
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WASHINGTON STATE NOTES
– A dozen Cougars recorded a hit Saturday including freshmen Patrick McGrath and Michael Monda who each recorded their first-career hit
– Freshmen Shea Donlin and J.J. Robinson each recorded a double for their first-career extra-base hit