PULLMAN, Wash. (Interstat) — The Washington State Cougars erupted for four first-inning runs and never looked back, defeating the Portland Pilots 9-3 in a nonconference baseball game Monday evening at Bailey–Brayton Field.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under the lights, saw the Cougars pound out 12 hits while their pitching staff limited Portland to just four. The victory improved Washington State’s record to 19-17, while Portland fell to 20-14.

The most important part of the game came immediately, as Washington State’s offense responded with force after a quiet top of the first from Portland. Facing an early three-run deficit, the Cougars sent nine men to the plate in the bottom half. The rally started with back-to-back singles from Roy and Chavez. Max Hartman then drove in the first run with a double to right field. Mason Pirello followed with a two-run double to center, tying the game. After a hit-by-pitch and a strikeout, Leo delivered a two-out single to right, scoring Pirello and giving Washington State a lead it would not relinquish.

Hartman, the top star for Washington State, continued his recent hot streak with a dominant performance. The center fielder, who later moved to right, went 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and three runs scored. His solo home run to deep center in the fourth inning extended the Cougars’ lead, and his RBI double in the sixth inning provided further insurance. This effort followed a series against Gardner-Webb where he collected four hits and two RBIs over the previous three games.

Washington State’s pitching was equally instrumental in the win. Starter Brock Blatter set the tone with four strong innings, allowing just one hit and no earned runs while striking out three. Relievers Taber Fast, Rylan Haider and others combined to allow only two earned runs over the final five frames. Haider was particularly effective, tossing two perfect innings with two strikeouts.

Portland’s offense struggled to find consistency against the Cougars’ arms. The Pilots managed only four hits, with two of their three runs being unearned. Dakota Chun provided the lone highlight for Portland, a two-run home run to right center in the seventh inning that briefly cut into the deficit. Morgan Codron provided a bright spot out of the bullpen for the Pilots, firing three hitless innings of relief with four strikeouts, though he was charged with three runs upon entering the game.

The game defied the pregame projections. While Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-5 Washington State victory, its ELO rating system had given Portland a 56.6 percent probability to win. The Cougars’ explosive start rendered those calculations moot.

Washington State next travels to face Utah Tech on Wednesday before a weekend series at UNLV. Portland returns home to begin a West Coast Conference series against San Francisco on Friday.