Hamilton notches first win as Cougars top Arizona State

PULLMAN – That it took so long for Washington State pitcher Ian Hamilton to pick up his first win is less a statement about the righty’s ability on the mound, and more a commentary on where the underclassman-ripe Cougars are at in their development as a team.

But maybe the fact that Hamilton’s first win came because he was picked up by WSU’s nascent offense in the team’s 9-3 win over Arizona State on Friday night indicates things are getting a little easier for the young Cougars and their star pitcher.

Hamilton (1-6) spent his first two seasons as an all-conference closer for the Cougars, and is WSU’s all-time saves leader with 28. First-year coach Marty Lees has asked Hamilton to anchor his starting rotation, and the pitcher has performed well even as the Cougars (9-15, 2-6 Pac-12) have struggled.

WSU’s lineup on Friday consisted of two juniors, two sophomores, a senior and four freshmen.

ASU (15-10, 2-6) took the first game of the series on Thursday, 10-1. But on Friday, Lees’ vision of quickly trod basepaths and timely hits manifested from the get-go.

“We need to force the action and we had the baserunners to do it tonight,” Lees said. “Some guys came in big when we needed them. Jacob Thurber (who had an RBI double), I’m kicking my tail for not playing him a little bit earlier.”

Trek Stemp extended his hitting-streak to 12 games with a leadoff single, was bunted along to second by Dustin Shirer, singled to third by Mason Cerrillo, and he scored on Patrick McGrath’s sacrifice fly.

Shortstop Justin Harrer, who drew four walks, scored WSU’s second run thanks to singles from catcher Ty Johnson and Stemp. The Cougars broke open a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning, driving in five runs.

Matheny, Stemp and Cerrillo each drove in two runs in the win. Harrer was plated three times. Ryan Walker relieved Hamilton after 5.0 innings and threw four, surrendering just three hits and picking up his second save.

Cameron Frost made two stellar plays in right field with runners on the basepaths, colliding with the wall to reel in a deep fly, and going into a full horizontal extension while diving to snag another.

“I was pretty pumped after that catch,” Hamilton said. “That was one of the better catches I’ve ever seen in college baseball.”

Hamilton struck out four batters and gave up three runs, two of them earned.

The teams will settle the series with Sunday’s rubber match at 1:05 p.m. at Bailey-Brayton field.