Sloppy Cougars drop home opener to Utah Valley

Utah Valley (5-5) took advantage of three Washington State (3-6) errors in the third inning to score three runs and the Wolverines cruised to an 8-0 nonconference victory on Thursday in Pullman.

Utah Valley wrapped up the opener of the four-game series by scoring four runs in the top of the eighth inning thanks to three hits and a pair of wild pitches.

Former closer Ian Hamilton started for WSU and pitched a career-high 6 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs – one earned – on four hits with six strikeouts.

Patrick McGrath was the only Coug with two hits in the home opener. Game two is Friday at 4 p.m.