In Pullman, Washington, the Washington State Cougars showcased an explosive start that set the tone for a commanding 12-6 victory over Nevada at Bailey-Brayton Field. With a nine-run outburst across the first two innings, the Cougars never looked back, securing a solid win in front of an energized home crowd.
Gavin Roy and Matt Priest were the offensive stars of the night, each racking up three hits. Priest was particularly impactful, driving in four runs, while Ollie Obenour contributed with three RBIs. Ryan Skjonsby added two hits and two RBIs, and Mason Pirello crossed the plate three times, highlighting a well-rounded offensive effort.
On the mound, left-hander Nick Lewis delivered a steady performance. Over seven innings, he allowed four earned runs, struck out one, and walked none, improving his season record to 3-1. Lewis's ability to navigate through Nevada's lineup was crucial, especially as the Wolf Pack attempted a mid-game rally.
The Cougars, now 11-13 overall and 5-2 in the Mountain West, wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the first inning, they sent nine batters to the plate.
Priest ignited the scoring with an RBI infield single, and Obenour followed with a sacrifice fly. Squeeze bunts from Skjonsby and Kyler Northrop added to the tally, leading to a four-run inning.
The offensive fireworks continued in the second inning, knocking Nevada's starter Alessandro Castro out of the game. Roy led off with a single, setting the stage for Priest's two-run double to left field. Obenour's RBI triple and Skjonsby's run-scoring single extended the lead to 9-1, effectively putting the game out of reach early on.
Priest's performance was a masterclass in clutch hitting, as he finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Roy was equally impressive at the top of the order, going 3-for-4, drawing a walk, and scoring three times. Freshman Mason Pirello showed resilience, reaching base three times and scoring on each occasion.
Lewis's pitching was complemented by a solid bullpen effort. Despite surrendering a few home runs, he managed to keep Nevada at bay. Reliever Erik Rodriguez provided 1 2/3 innings of effective middle relief, and Taber Fast closed out the ninth to seal the victory.
Nevada, now 14-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play, made a push to close the gap to 9-6 by the fifth inning. However, the Cougars' pitching staff held firm, ensuring there would be no comeback.
The series continues with game two scheduled for Saturday at 2:05 p.m., promising more action as both teams look to make their mark in the Mountain West standings.