May 1, 2002

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State (18-24) scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday night at Bailey-Brayton Field as the Cougars rallied for a 12-9 win over Gonzaga (23-22). Tyson Boston added the big pinch-hit three run home run to clinch the contest with runners at second and third and game tied at 9-9.

The Cougars made a late charge in the ninth inning as they loaded the bases against Gonzaga closer Eric Everson (1-3). LaRue delivered the first big hit for WSU with a two-run single to center field and Derek Bruce hit a bloop single to right field to tie the game at 9-9.

The Cougars scored first in the contest with two runs in the bottom of the opening inning. Evan Hecker reached on an error and would come around to score on a double by Jeff LaRue. A ground out by Bookie Gates would score Justin Hart from third to account for the second WSU run.

Gonzaga answered the challenge with two runs of their own in the top of the second. Culpepper led off with a single up the middle. Cougars starter Josh Bartlome was then pulled with an injury and relief pitcher Marshall Hendon was greeted with a double off the right field wall by Richardson. An RBI ground out by Kemp Quackenbush and RBI single by Sam Hess followed to knot the game at 2-2.

WSU added to its run total in the bottom of the third as Hecker drew a lead-off walk before coming around to score on a single to left by Robert Stahlke. Hart would come around to score his second run of the game on a sacrifice fly by LaRue to right.

The Bulldogs exploded in the top of the fifth inning as they pushed across six runs to take their first lead of the game. Garth Blumberg reached on an infield error to start the rally before Grant Zurmely would drive home two with a double off the left field fence. Culpepper added a RBI single for his third hit of the night before Richardson blasted a three-run home run to put Gonzaga up 8-4.

The Cougars chipped away at the Bulldogs lead with a single run in the fifth but Gonzaga pushed the lead back to four runs as Richardson singled home Culpepper from third. Culpepper reached on a triple to the right center gap to collect his fourth hit of the night.

Culpepper finished the night 5-for-5 while Richardson was 3-for-4 with four RBI. Hart and Bruce Jacobsen each finished with three hits to lead WSU. Zach Fisher (1-1) picked up the win

Gonzaga will return to action on Friday afternoon as they start a West Coast Conference series at Saint Mary's. All three games will be broadcast on KFAN AM 790 with Friday's game starting at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday's games are set for 1 p.m. starts.