Friday, February 10, 2006

(Feb. 10, 2006) - Washington State combined a brilliant starting pitching performance with one explosive offensive inning, and cruised to an 8-2 win over ETSU in second day action at the Buccaneer Classic in Charleston, S.C.

The Cougars (1-0) broke the game open in the seventh inning, scoring six runs and chasing Buccaneer starter Tony Lombardi (Windsor, Calif.) from the contest.  After retiring the first batter of the inning, Lombardi surrendered a base hit and had a runner reach on an error before giving way to sophomore Darren Caldwell (Spartanburg, S.C.).  After Washington State executed a double steal, the Bucs intentionally walked the bases loaded.  Caldwell walked in a run and gave up a two-run single leaving the Bucs down 4-0.  The Cougars added three more runs in the frame off reliever Jonathan Stoudt (Marietta, Ga.).

Washington State took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when third baseman Jeff Miller converted second baseman Paul Gran's leadoff triple into a run with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Cougars extended their advantage in the sixth on first baseman Jim Murphy's RBI single past a drawn in Buccaneer infield.  Miller scored n the play having earlier reached on a double to left and swiping third to move into position.

The Bucs' offense was anemic throughout the day, scratching out just five hits and not advancing a runner past second base until the ninth inning.

Lombardi (0-1) went six and a third innings for the Bucs, giving up four runs on seven hits.  Washington State starter Wayne Daman picked up his first win of the season, allowing just two hits and struck out nine ETSU batters in six innings of work.

The Buccaneers, now 2-2 on the season, conclude the tournament on Saturday with an 11 a.m. tilt against host Charleston Southern.