WSU outslugs GU at Banana Belt

Washington State scored 18 runs on 15 hits to get past Gonzaga in an 18-10 college baseball shootout Friday in the second round of the Banana Belt Classic in Lewiston.

Jay Miller collected four hits and three RBIs while scoring a career-high five runs for the Cougars (12-2). Miller extended his hitting streak to 17 games.

Jeff Miller knocked his team-leading fourth home run of the season in the second inning. Jared Prince added a season-high four RBIs, and Travis Coulter and Simi Reynolds each scored three times.

Seven Washington State players scored runs in the game, and eight notched at least one hit. Wayne Daman Jr. picked up the win to improve his record to 4-0.

The Cougars built a 13-1 lead by the fifth inning, but the Bulldogs (8-7) chopped the lead to six after a five-run sixth, which included a two-run double by backup catcher Nick Merriman.

Washington State then added two runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to put the game away.

Meriman had two hits, three RBIs and one run scored in the game. Scott Campbell added three hits and scored two runs for Gonzaga.

Clayton Mortensen picked up the loss and dropped to 2-3 after allowing 10 runs in 4 1/3 innings, although only four were earned.

Washington State is off to its best start since going 18-0 during the 1980 season.

•Community Colleges of Spokane dropped a doubleheader to Edmonds, 7-6 and 6-2 at the Palouse Classic in Pullman.

The Sasquatch rallied from a 6-1 deficit in the opener, scoring five runs in the final two innings, but came up short. Grant Boudon and Cody Brubaker each had a double in the game. Edmonds jumped to another big lead in the nightcap, scoring five runs in the third inning, and CCS could not get back in the game.

College softball

North Idaho topped Eastern Oregon 10-2 and 9-1 in a doubleheader in La Grande, Ore.

Michelle St. John had two hits, including a home run, in each game and totaled seven RBIs for the Cardinals. Melodee Mildenberger had a double and a home run and struck out nine batters to pick up the win in the first game. Spring Montgomery picked up three hits, including two home runs, and five RBIs in the second game. Kelcey Caban won the second game.