In an impressive display of offensive firepower and pitching prowess, Washington State took down Grand Canyon with a 7-3 victory at Bailey-Brayton Field. Nick Lewis was the star on the mound, delivering six strong innings while the Cougars' bats came alive, matching a season-high with 14 hits.
Lewis, now boasting a 2-1 record, struck out five and allowed just three runs, demonstrating his consistency by pitching over five innings in his last five starts. He was backed by a potent offensive lineup where five Cougars recorded multiple hits, led by Ryan Skjonsby’s standout three-hit performance.
Matt Priest provided the early fireworks with a two-run homer in the third inning, marking his first career home run and extending his on-base streak to six games. This blast gave WSU an early 2-0 advantage, and they didn’t look back. The Cougars kept the pressure on, scoring in the next three innings to solidify their lead.
August Richie was clutch in relief, striking out three over three scoreless innings to earn the save and close out the home opener. This marked the first home game for WSU after a grueling 19-game road stretch.
Key moments included Priest’s long ball to left field, Kyler Northrop’s RBI-double in the fourth, and back-to-back RBI-doubles by Dustin Robinson and Ollie Obenour in the sixth. Skjonsby continued his hot streak, driving in a run in the fifth and matching his career-high with three hits.
In the box score, Max Hartman’s triple in the first inning stood out as his fourth of the season, while Gavin Roy extended his hitting streak to seven games with a double in the third.
With eight Cougars contributing hits, the team showcased depth and resilience, setting a strong tone for the series, which continues Saturday at 2:05 p.m. Fans can look forward to more exciting action as WSU aims to build on this momentum.