The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Washington State
Baseball wins series opener against Washington State, 4-2
02.23.2007 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas received strong performances from three pitchers and timely hitting for a 4-2 win over Washington State University in collegiate baseball action Friday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
James Russell (2-1) earned the victory as he allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings. Joseph Krebs pitched two innings of hitless shutout relief and Randy Boone earned his third save of the season, scattering two hits and striking out one over the last two innings.
Texas (8-5) drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning. Bradley Suttle drew a walk to lead off the frame. Nick Peoples reached on a bunt single and Chance Wheeless moved runners to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. Chais Fuller broke the scoring seal with his sacrifice squeeze bunt plating Suttle and moving Peoples to third. Kyle Russell pushed Peoples across with a ground-rule double over the left centerfield fence.
In the third inning, Preston Clark became the 31st player to hit a home run over the 20-foot high "Monster" in straightaway centerfield. It was his second home run of the season and staked the Longhorns to a 3-1 lead.
Washington State trimmed the lead to 3-2 with two home runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jeff Miller and Greg Lagreid both deposited solo blasts over the leftfield wall.
Texas added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Peoples led off the inning with a single and stole second base on a failed pickoff attempt. Wheeless put runners at the corners with a bunt single and Fuller plated Peoples with his second sacrifice squeeze bunt of the game, giving Texas a 4-2 lead.
Fuller went 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBI. Peoples went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored.
Travis Coulter was the lone Cougar with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4.
Matt Way (0-1) was saddled with the loss for WSU. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout over four innings.
Texas and Washington State return to action on Saturday with a 2 p.m. contests at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
