Texas Tech University Athletics
Washington State Remains Perfect in 6-3 Win
February 27, 2010 | Baseball
Feb. 27, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - Backed by four hitless innings from its bullpen, Washington State clinched a share of the Brooks Wallace Memorial Classic title Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 victory over Bethune-Cookman at Dan Law Field.
The Cougars (5-0) are a perfect 3-0 in tournament play with only one game remaining against host Texas Tech at 12 p.m. Sunday. The Red Raiders enter Saturday's second game against Bethune-Cookman at 1-1 in the classic but could force a tie by closing with two-straight victories. Bethune-Cookman (1-6) drops to 0-3 this weekend.
For the second-consecutive day, Washington State's pitching staff led the way as the Cougar bullpen allowed only one batter to reach base over the final four frames. Starter James Wise gave up four runs over the first five innings to earn the win for his first victory of the season.
On the offensive end, the Cougars received key hits from Derek Jones, who smashed two home runs to lead the Cougars. The right fielder's dingers could not have come at better times as the first tied the game in the third inning and the latter added insurance to the Cougar's lead in the eighth.
Bethune-Cookman was in the game throughout with two runs in the third and another in the fourth inning, but its bats could not keep up with Washington State's pitching. Following Wise's departure to start the sixth, Richie Ochoa, Seth Harvey and Adam Conley combined to face only one batter over the minimum as the Wildcats had no answer. Conley pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the weekend.
Washington State added to its 4-3 lead in the eighth with Wise's solo home run and a run-scoring error by Wildcat reliever Juan Perez. Rayan Gonzalez earned the loss for Bethune-Cookman, dropping to 1-1 on the year.
Bethune-Cookman closes its portion of the Brooks Wallace Memorial Classic in the Saturday finale against Texas Tech. First pitch of that game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
