Slideshow by News for CougGroup using photos from
WSU Athletics:
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Washington State’s Scotty
Sunitsch dug deep, went nine innings for ‘first time in my life’ to toss
historic no-hitter
Mon., April 9, 2018, 3:27 p.m.
By Theo Lawson, Spokane
Spokesman-Review
Washington State baseball
players were watching Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom and reveling in what
teammate Scotty Sunitsch had accomplished on a mushy mound in Eugene, Oregon,
hours earlier as the Cougars’ team bus rolled through The Dalles Sunday
evening, nearing the halfway point of a long and dark ride back to Pullman.
Sunitsch was still brimming,
too.
“At least 50” family
members, friends and former baseball coaches had contacted Sunitsch since he
recorded the third out of the final inning of WSU’s 7-0 win over Oregon,
beating Evan Williams on a low, out slider to cap a historic afternoon.
PK Park was the Ducks’
Temple of Doom Sunday afternoon and Sunitsch made it so.
With only 95 pitches, the
southpaw tossed the 25th no-hitter in Washington State history. He became the
19th to do it solo and broke a 42-year drought by becoming the first pitcher to
complete a no-hitter in nine innings since Eric Wilkins in 1976. Sunitsch joins
Albert Hartman and Wilkins as the only three WSU pitchers to have dealt
nine-inning no-hitters.
University of Oregon record
books are incomplete, but it’s possible Sunitsch also became the first opposing
pitcher to hold the Ducks without a hit. At the very least, he’s the first one
to do it since UO reinstated baseball in 2009.
“It took a few hours to soak
in,” Sunitsch said from the Cougars’ bus Sunday night. “Whatever I can do to
leave a mark on this school before I leave, anything I can do means the world
to me. It’s quite the honor.”
The history books will
reflect this as Sunitsch’s second collegiate no-hitter. He got partial credit
for a 7-3 win over Stephen F. Austin last season, as one of four Cougar hurlers
to hold the Lumberjacks hitless. But that feat will always be denoted with an
asterisk.
“People made fun of us
because we gave up a few runs and it was a combined no-hitter, but it still
counts,” said Sunitsch, who tossed a perfect ninth inning against SFA after
Cody Anderson, Joe Rosenstein and Isaac Mullins pulled the Cougars through the
first eight. “But this year it actually solidifies (it), a nine-inning
no-hitter, so I think it’s pretty sweet.”
The fact that Sunitsch was
still laboring in the ninth inning of a game he started ranks as the second
most impressive thing to happen Sunday.
Sunitsch has been a
jack-of-all-trades pitcher for the Cougars since his freshman season in 2015 –
“I’ve had a lot of roles here,” he said, “so wherever they want to put me. I’ve
been a reliever, closer, starter, long relief, short relief.”
With eight more appearances,
he’ll match Kellen Camus (86) for second-most all-time at WSU. If he somehow
reaches 11, he’ll tie all-time leader Steve Kost.
But the one thing the
Cougars have never asked of Sunitsch is to pitch a marathon.
“I haven’t thrown nine
innings once in my life,” he said.
But nine felt like seven for
Sunitsch on his efficient 95-pitch day.
He stumped the Ducks with
his changeup, he had his slider working – “(it was) sharper than usual” he said
– and he consistently uncorked 90 mile-per-hour fastballs into the upper part
of the strike zone, striking out the Oregon batters who couldn’t catch up to
his heater or inducing fly balls from those that barely got a piece of it.
Sunitsch was four innings
deep when hecklers wearing Oregon green and yellow began warning the WSU hurler
that he’d yet to cede base hit. Mentioning a no-hitter while it’s in the making
is one of baseball’s unwritten rules and WSU catcher Robert Teel purposefully
avoided Sunitsch in the dugout to make sure he didn’t cause his pitcher any
angst.
“I was thinking about it,
but I really wanted to just go, ‘OK, next inning, next inning,’” Sunitsch said.
“And there was guys in the stands heckling me going, ‘Hey, you’re throwing a
no-hitter.’ Giving me garbage from the stands, and it made it a little more
fun.”
But the 6-2, 205-pound lefty
plugged away at the Ducks, walking two and striking out a career-high nine. He
pitched himself out of a jam in the bottom of the seventh inning, walking the
leadoff batter and hitting the next man up to give Oregon two runners with no
outs.
“I could’ve just easily lost
my temper and gone downhill,” Sunitsch said, “but I got two fly balls and a
strikeout, kept it alive.”
A younger Sunitsch may have
lost the no-no right there, he admitted.
The Cougars made a few
highlight defensive plays to preserve the historic outing, too. In the first
inning, Teel sold out to make a catch in foul territory, colliding with the
backstop as the ball fell into his glove. “He almost broke his knee for me,” Sunitsch
said of the play. In the third inning, Justin Harrer tracked down a deep fly in
left field that took him all the way to the warning track. In the ninth inning,
Derek Chapman dove to snag a short line drive that nearly dropped into a pocket
of grass in shallow left field.
“It pushes you to pay them
back,” Sunitsch said. “I’ve been a position player myself, too. You sit there
for the chance for maybe two or three plays a game. It’s a long game and you
really want to sell out for your pitcher and once you see that on the field,
that really makes you want to pay them back and support them, especially when
they’re giving a lot of run support.”
Sunitsch, a Todd Beamer High
(Federal Way) graduate who was born in Tacoma, said the muggy conditions
Sunday’s game was played in gave him a taste of home.
“The wet mud was nice
because I could roll my hands in the mud and get the ball muddied up and it
would go wherever I wanted it to go,” he said.
Sunitsch, who was originally
supposed to pitch in Saturday’s 2 p.m. game against Oregon, swapped with Cody
Anderson to earn the Sunday start. His parents, Scott and Nancy Sunitsch, were
in the grandstand when their son heaved his final strike across the plate.
“I gave them a big hug and
my mom was crying a little bit, she was so happy,” Sunitsch said.
::Washington State solo no-hitters:
March 2, 1916: Hartman vs.
Gonzaga, 1-0
April 9, 1932: Coleman vs.
LCSC, 12-1
March 30, 1951: Keogh vs.
LCSC, 2-1
March 22, 1958: Hahn vs.
Columbia Basin, 0-1
March 27, 1964: Salisbury
vs. LCSC, 4-0
March 18, 1967: Austin vs.
LCSC, 1-0
March 21, 1968: Clark vs.
Montana, 9-1
March 22, 1968: Austin vs.
Gonzaga, 5-0
March 26, 1971: Angell vs.
Eastern Washington, 5-0
March 10, 1973: McIntosh vs.
Whitworth, 8-0
March 23, 1973: Beem vs.
Eastern Washington, 6-0
March 20, 1974: Harris vs.
Central Washington, 7-0
March 14, 1976: Sherwood vs.
Idaho, 2-0
May 7, 1976: Wilkins vs.
Oregon State, 1-0
March 20, 1977: Harris vs.
Washington, 3-0
March 4, 1984: Costello vs. Washington,
4-0
March 14, 1985: Waananen vs. Rockford
(Ill.) College, 15-0
April 8, 2018: Sunitsch vs. Oregon, 7-0
..........
BASEBALL
WSU baseball's Scotty
Sunitsch Named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week
Lefthanded pitcher from
Federal Way, Wash./ Todd Beamer High School
From WSU Sports Info
4/9/2018
SAN FRANCISCO – After
throwing a no-hitter at Oregon Sunday afternoon, senior lefthander Scotty
Sunitsch was named the Pac-12 Conference Pitcher of the Week, the conference
office announced Monday.
Sunitsch no-hit the Ducks in
Washington State’s 7-0 road win in the series-finale. The Federal Way, Wash.
native struck out a career high nine, walked two, hit two batters and needed
just 95 pitches to record WSU’s 25th no-hitter in program history and the first
solo nine-inning no-hitter since Eric Wilkins no-hit Oregon State in 1976.
Last season, Sunitsch was
part of a combined no-hitter over Stephen F. Austin, working the ninth-inning.
There have been three other Cougar no-hitters since Wilkins did so in 1976 but
all three were seven innings, coming in 1977, 1984 and 1985. Sunitsch enters
the week leading the team with a 3-1 record along with 30 strikeouts in 41.2
innings.
In Sunday’s ninth inning, Sunitsch received a big play
from a veteran outfielder who had just entered the game. Oregon’s first batter
of the inning lined a ball into shallow left field that senior Derek Chapman
charged and made a sliding catch for the first out. Chapman had entered the
game in the top of the ninth for Justin Harrer who left the game during his
ninth-inning at-bat after an awkward swing. Sunitsch struck out the next two
hitters before he was mopped by his teammates.
Sunitsch earns WSU’s first
Pac-12 weekly award since Ian Hamilton earned Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week
accolades in 2016.
::::::::::::::::::::::
Game Recap: Baseball | April 8, 2018 from WSU Sports Info
Sunitsch Fires No-Hitter in Series-Finale at
Oregon
EUGENE, Ore. – Senior lefthander Scotty Sunitsch
fired a no-hitter in Washington State's 7-0 win in the series-finale against
Oregon at PK Park Sunday afternoon. It was WSU's 25th no-hitter in program
history.
Sunitch struck out a career-high nine, walked two
and hit two batters. Sunitsch needed just 95 pitches to record WSU's first solo
nine-inning no-hitter since 1976 (Eric Wilkins against Oregon State). Last
season, Sunitsch was part of a combined no-hitter over Stephen F. Austin,
working the ninth-inning. There were three other Cougar no-hitters in 1977,
1984 and 1985 but all were seven innings.
Washington
State (9-17, 4-8 Pac-12) received a pair of two-hit games from the top two
hitters of its lineup, Andres Alvarez and Dillon Plew while freshman Mason De
La Cruz tallied his first two-hit game and catcher Robert Teel put the game out
of reach with a three-run doubled in the seventh inning. JJ Hancock also drove
in a run with a bases-loaded walk and he has reached base in 13 straight games.
In the
fifth, WSU strung together four-straight two-out hits to score three runs.
Blake Clanton got things started with a line drive single into leftcenter and
De La Cruz followed with a beautifully placed bunt down the 3rd-base line for
his second hit of the game. Alvarez delivered a two-out single back up the
middle to score Clanton for the first run of the game. Plew stepped in a lined
a 1-0 pitch into centerfield that the Oregon centerfielder dove for and
couldn't make the grab, allowing two runs to score while Plew raced around to
third for his third triple of the season and a 3-0 WSU lead.
In the
sixth, the Cougars left the bases loaded after the Oregon bullpen ended the
threat with a pair of strikeouts. But in the seventh, WSU again loaded the
bases and this time pushed four runs across after a Hancock bases-loaded walk
and Teel's bases-clearing three-run double over the left fielder for a 7-0
advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, Sunitsch ran into a
little bit of trouble, walking the leadoff hitter and hitting the next batter.
The senior buckled down to get a popup, a flyout and a strikeout to end the
inning.
In the eighth, Sunitsch recorded the first two
outs via popup and strikeout before Oregon laid down a bunt but Sunitsch
pounced on the ball near the third base line and fired to first for the third
out.
In the ninth, a veteran came up with the play of
the day. Oregon's first batter of the inning lined a ball into shallow left
field that senior Derek Chapman charged and made a sliding catch for the first
out. Chapman had entered the game in the top of the ninth for Justin Harrer who
left the game during his ninth-inning at-bat after an awkward swing. Sunitsch
struck out the next batter looking before striking out the next hitter before
he was mopped by his teammates.
INSIDE THE
BOX SCORE
Starter Scotty Sunitsch made his 78th career
appearance, tied with Seth Harvey for 3rd in WSU history
JJ Hancock reached on a fielder's choice in the
2nd, extending his on-base streak to 13 games
Mason De La Cruz recorded his first career
multiple-hit game
NEXT UP:
The Cougars return home to host a three-game series with California beginning
Friday.
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WSU COUGARS Ups and downs for Cougs at first
football scrimmage Saturday morning at Martin Stadium
Moscow Pullman Daily News
The Washington State offense accounted for six
touchdowns while the defense intercepted four passes and collected 10
touch-sacks during the Cougars’ first scrimmage of spring football workouts.
Trey Tinsley and Anthony Gordon combined to pass
22-for-30, though true freshman Camm Cooper was less efficient at 8-for-20 with
two interceptions.
Kyle Sweet caught a touchdown pass from each of
the top three quarterbacks, and Max Borghi sailed 51 yards on a shovel pass
from Cooper.
Skyler Thomas picked off a Cooper pass and raced
the length of the field for a TD, and Dallas Hobbs collected two sacks.
Jack Crane connected on all four of his
field-goal tries, from 34, 44, 44 and 47 yards.
PASSING — Trey Tinsley 10-13-0-68, Anthony Gordon
12-17-0-98, Camm Cooper 8-20-2-160, John Bledsoe 3-7-0-26, Connor Neville
2-7-2-23.
RECEIVING — Kyle Sweet 5-62, Keith Harrington
5-45, Max Borghi 4-73, Tay Martin 4-41, Brandon Arconado 3-41, Jamire Calvin
3-19, Travell Harris 2-18, Easop Winston Jr. 2-12, Solomon Cooper 2-6, Kainoa
Wilson 1-18, Hayden Harvey 1-10, Rodrick Fisher 1-9.
RUSHING — James Williams 5-45, Camm Cooper 1-10,
Keith Harringotn 2-3, Trey Tinsley 2-3, Connor Neville 1-0.
...
FOOTBALL: Big Plays on Both Sides Highlight
Cougars’ First Spring Scrimmage
From WSU Sports Info 4/7/2018
PULLMAN, Wash. – The Cougar offense accounted for
six touchdowns while the defense picked off four passes and had 10 sacks to
highlight play during Washington State football's first scrimmage of the spring
Saturday morning at Martin Stadium.
The first
score of the day game on the second offensive drive when redshirt junior
quarterback Trey Tinsley found senior receiver Kyle Sweet on a short, two-yard
touchdown pass. The next two scores came with redshirt junior quarterback
Anthony Gordon leading the offense. He found freshman receiver Roderick Fisher
on a nine-yard scoring strike followed by a 13-yard touchdown connection with
Sweet.
Sweet completed the hat trick courtesy of
freshman quarterback Cammon Cooper as the two hooked up for a 20-yard scoring
strike. Cooper, one of five quarterbacks to see action Saturday, connected on
the longest offensive play of the afternoon as his first completion went to
freshman running back Max Borghi on a 51-yard shovel pass. Cooper added a
10-yard touchdown run and capped the scoring with a 14-yard strike to junior
receiver Dezmon Patmon.
Sweet finished his afternoon with five catches
for 62 yards and three scores, while redshirt-senior running back Keith
Harrington tallied five receptions out of the backfield for 45 yards.
Redshirt-junior running back James Williams carried five times for 45 yards to
lead the rushing attack.
Tinsley
finished the day 10-of-13 for 68 yards and a score, while Gordon was 12of-17
for 98 yards and two scores. Cooper was 8-of-20 for 160 yards, two scores and
two picks.
The Cougars defense had a strong day, finding
itself in the backfield much of the afternoon. Led by a spirited defensive
line, WSU's defense accounted for 10 sacks and multiple drive-ending plays.
Redshirt-freshman defensive back Armani Marsh stepped in front of a Cooper pass
to get the first pick of the day while safety Hayden Schmidt picked quarterback
Connor Neville midway through the scrimmage. Redshirt-freshman linebacker
Fa'avae Fa'avae joined the fun with a pick of Neville and redshirt-sophomore
Skyler Thomas grabbed a Cooper pass near the end zone and raced the length of
the field for the pick-six.
Redshirt-junior linebacker Tristan Brock and
redshirt-sophomore linebacker Justus Rogers led the way with four tackles each,
with Brock adding a sack. The defensive line shared the wealth in the backfield
accounting for eight sacks, two by redshirt-freshman Dallas Hobbs.
Redshirt-sophomore kicker Jack Crane was perfect
on the day hitting field goals from 34, 44, 44 and 47 yards.
The Cougars resume spring practice Tuesday at
2:30 p.m. at Rogers Field and Martin Stadium.
SCRIMMAGE STATISTICS
PASSING
PC-PA-YARDS INTs TDs
Trey Tinsley
10-13-68
0 1
Anthony Gordon 12-17-98 0 2
Cammon Cooper 8-20-160 2 2
John Bledsoe 3-7-26 0 0
Connor Neville 2-7-23 2 0
TOTALS 35-64-375 4 5
RECEIVING CATCHES YARDS TDs
Kyle Sweet 5 62 3
Keith Harrington 5 45 0
Max Borghi 4 73 0
Tay Martin
4
41 0
Brandon Arconado 3 41 0
Jamire Calvin 3 19 0
Dezmon Patmon 2 21 1
Travell Harris 2 18 0
Easop Winston, Jr. 2 12 0
Solomon Cooper 2 6 0
Kainoa Wilson 1 18 0
Hayden Harvey 1 10 0
Rodrick Fisher 1 9 1
TOTALS
35
375 5
RUSHING
CARRIES YARDS TDs
James Williams 5 45 0
Cammon Cooper 1 10 1
Anthony Castillo 2 5 0
Keith Harrington 2 3 0
Trey Tinsley
2
3 0
Connor Neville 1 0 0
TOTALS
16
66 1
FIELD GOALS
Jack Crane – 34 (Good), 44 (Good), 44 (Good), 47
(Good)
SCORING SUMMARY
Sweet 2 yd pass from Tinsley
Fisher 9 yd pass from Gordon
Sweet 13 yd pass from Gordon
Sweet 20 yd pass from Cooper
Cooper 10 yd run
Patmon 14 yd pass from Cooper
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