by Brad Wall
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State scored five of their 10 runs in the third inning against Pac-12 Opponent California leading to a 10-4 victory Friday night.
In the opening inning, after advancing to third on a wild pitch, Vince Bruno was brought in on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Delfino to put a run on the board for California.
Taylor Ard tied the game back up with a solo shot in the bottom of the first, his tenth on the year to tie for the lead in the Pac-12.
Tommy Richards led off the second with a double and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Cougars the lead.
Cal's Andrew Knapp hit a one out solo shot to tie the game back up at two a piece in the third. Tony Renda then walked and advanced to second on a fielder's choice and error. Renda then moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground out by Chadd Krist.
The Cougs would then explode in the bottom of the third as Kyle Johnson hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Following a Patrick Claussen strikeout and an Ard hit by pitch, Derek Jones singled to score Johnson. Adam Nelubowich was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tommy Richards gave WSU the lead back by ripping a single to center field scoring Jones and Ard. Jason Monda grounded out to the pitcher to put runners on second and third. PJ Jones continued the scoring with a two-out double to bring home Richards and Nelubowich. The five-run inning gave the Cougars a 7-3 lead.
Washington State added a couple more in the second starting with a Nelubowich single to bring in Claussen. A wild pitch allowed Ard to score the Cougars' ninth run of the game.
The Golden Bears made a small cut into the lead in the eighth as Brenden Farney scored on a two-out single by Bruno. WSU got a run back in the bottom of the eighth with a two-out single by Richards to score D. Jones.
Tanner Chleborad, backed by solid run support, threw for five innings allowing three runs on four hits. Kellen Camus went the rest of the way allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
The Cougars got eight of their 11 hits off of starter Michael Theofanopoul who allowed nine runs in 3 and 2/3 innings.
The three-game series continues with game two tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
