SPOKANE – Andy Hunter collected four hits, including a home run, and host Gonzaga beat Washington State 9-3 in a regional baseball rivalry on Tuesday at Washington Trust Field.
Washington State (13-12) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first against Gonzaga (19-7) starter Derek Callahan. Jason Monda led off with a single and stole second with one out. Taylor Ard singled to drive in Monda followed by a walk to Derek Jones. Adam Nelubowich singled to score Ard and Ty Jackson singled to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Jones to come home with the third run of the inning.
The Bulldogs chipped away at the deficit with a run in the first and another in the third against Cougar starter Kyle Swannack (2-3). Hunter’s homer to open the fourth tied the game and Gonzaga added a second run in the inning for a 4-3 lead.
Gonzaga tacked on a run in the sixth and four more in the eighth against the Washington State bullpen. Kenny Smith (1-0) worked 6 2/3 innings of four-hit shutout relief with six strikeouts to earn the victory.
