Box Score

LEWISTON, Idaho (Feb. 17) -- The Central Washington University baseball team finished with 15 hits, and the Wildcats scored eight runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning to defeat Saint Martin's University, 12-3, in a non-conference matchup at the Inland Cellular Tournament at Harris Field on Friday.

The Wildcats improved to 2-5, while the Saints remain winless at 0-9.

Central Washington's leadoff batter, senior BRETT BIELEC (Port Orchard/North Mason HS), started off the game by tripling to center field and senior second baseman BRANDON WANG (Mill Creek/Jackson HS) reached base on a fielding error to score Bielec for an early 1-0 lead. SMU scored two runs in the top of the second inning, but the Wildcats responded by scoring a run in the third on a RBI groundout by senior DERRICK WEBB (Ephrata).

The Saints took a 3-2 advantage after scoring once in the top of the fifth inning, but the Wildcats reeled off seven hits in the bottom half of the frame, scoring eight times to take a 10-3 lead.  The first five batters of the inning each hit safely as senior BRADY KINCANNON (Federal Way/Decatur HS), junior JIMMY RYERSON (Seattle/Roosevelt HS), Bielec, and Webb all drove in a run, while sophomore ETHAN STERKEL (Ellensburg) and Wang each drove in two runs on doubles to left field and right-center field, respectively. 

Central Washington added its final two runs in the seventh inning with Kincannon driving in his second run of the game, reaching base on a fielder's choice to plate freshman pinch-runner KASEY BIELEC (Port Orchard/North Mason HS), and junior BRETT GRAY (Ephrata) singled in his first plate appearance of the season, scoring BRETT BIELEC.

Wildcat starting pitcher BRANDON ROHDE (Gig Harbor) threw 6 2/3 innings and picked up his first win (1-1) of the 2012 season. He gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out five SMU batters. Relievers JASON LOTZER (Lynnwood) and TANNER KNUTSON (Deer Park) combined to throw the final 2 1/3 innings for CWU, giving up just two hits.

BRETT BIELEC led the Wildcats' offensive charge going 3 for 4 with a RBI, four runs scored, and two stolen bases. Sterkel also had three base hits in the game (3 for 5) and drove in two runs.  Webb and Kincannon both had two RBI, while Wang drove in three. 

All but one CWU starter had at least one hit in the game as the Wildcats outhit the Saints 15-9. Central Washington outplayed its counterpart defensively, committing just one error while SMU was charged with four miscues.

Bobby Twedt was 2 for 4 for Saint Martin's, finishing as the Saints' lone player with more than one hit in the contest. Alex Bielaski drove in two of the Saints' three runs in the game with a second-inning double.

Central Washington will play two games on Saturday (Feb. 18), taking on 17th-ranked Western Oregon University at 10 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. matchup with host Lewis-Clark State.