Feb. 23, 2008
PULLMAN, Wash. - Freshman Shea Vucinich delivered a run-scoring single broke a 3-3 tie and highlighted a five-run eighth inning as Washington State defeated Creighton 8-3 in nonconference baseball at Bailey-Brayton Field, Saturday in front of 803 fans.
Vucinich's hit came off Creighton reliever Jeremy Hauer (0-1) with the bases loaded and plated Matt Fanelli who led off the inning with a single. A four-pitch walk to Michael Weber forced in a run to increase the WSU (1-1) lead to 5-3. Bob Lackovic entered from the Creighton (1-1) bullpen and promptly committed a balk to score Garry Kuykendall with the Cougars' third run of the inning. After John Desmarais struck out, Paul Gran capped the rally when he ripped a 1-2 pitch into the left field corner for a two-run double.
"I got behind in the count and what was going through my head was let the ball get deep," Vucinich said. "I stayed back just enough to foul off a pitch and give myself another chance. It was a team effort today and we strung together some good at bats."
Steve Kost (1-0) made his 66th-career appearance, tied for sixth all-time at WSU, and picked up the victory with an inning and a third of scoreless relief.
The Cougars received a solid start from senior Jayson Miller who gave up one run on three hits and struck out five in six innings of work.
"It was a typical Jayson Miller performance," Cougar Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "He got ahead early, and then expanded the strike zone."
Creighton and Washington State conclude their three-game series Sunday at Bailey-Brayton Field with first pitch scheduled for noon.
Washington State 8, Creighton 3 (Feb 23, 2008 at Pullman, Wash.)
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Creighton........... 000 100 200 - 3 5 2 (1-1)
Washington State.... 110 100 05X - 8 10 2 (1-1)
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Pitchers: Creighton - Moore; Hauer(5); Lackovic(8). Washington State - Miller, Jayson;
Davis, Andrew(7); Kost, Steve(7); Humes, Ross(9).
Win-Kost, Steve(1-0) Save-None Loss-Hauer(0-1) T-2:52 A-803
