As spring approaches, baseball season is on the horizon. After finishing 7-17 in non-conference play last year, let’s break down who the Cougars will be playing in this year’s non-conference slate.
@ Alabama Feb. 13-15
The Cougars start off the season heading down to Tuscaloosa, AL, to face the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide are coming off a season where they finished seventh in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), going 16-14 in conference and 41-18 overall. The last time these two teams met was in 2018 when the Tide won 9-3.
The Crimson Tide is seeing the return of two star players: Infielder Justin Lebron and pitcher Zane Adams.
Lebron was named second-team All-American last year and is a top prospect in the upcoming MLB draft. Adams was named to the all-SEC freshman team last season. He went 7-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 15 appearances, had a season high 10 strikeouts in 6.0 scoreless innings.
@ Cal Poly Feb. 20-23
Next, the Cougs head to San Luis Obispo, CA, to take on the Cal Poly Mustangs. Last season, the Mustangs had an overall record of 43-19 and a conference record of 23-7 in the Big West and finished second in conference. This will be the first time that the Cougars will face the Mustangs.
For the Mustangs, star sophomore shortstop Nate Castellon is returning. Castellon was named to the All-Big West second team and to the Collegiate baseball writer association All-freshman team. Additionally, junior Griffin Naess, who had the most production for the Mustangs. Naess had a 3.14 ERA, reached a season high of seven strikeouts twice last season and he went 7-3.
BYU (in Long Beach Ca) (Feb 26-27)
Following the series in San Luis, the Cougs will stay in California to take on the BYU Cougars. Last season, BYU finished with a record of 28-27 overall and 10-20 in the Big 12 conference. WSU last faced BYU in 2023, where WSU dominated, winning 6-1.
BYU will see a return in their leaders from last season with senior Bryker Hurdsman, who led the team with a .337 batting average and belted four home runs. Redshirt junior Payton Gulber went 3-3 in 12 appearances with an ERA of 5.98. Additionally, utility man Ryker Schow, who led position players in fielding last season, is also returning.
@ Long Beach State (Feb. 27- Mar.1)
The Cougars will then stay in Long Beach to take on the Long Beach State Sharks. Last season, the Sharks ended with a record of 22-31 and 15-15 in the Big West conference, finishing seventh. The last time these teams met was in 2018, when the Sharks beat the Cougs 5-1.
The Sharks experienced a loss in talent as their leader in hits and runs from last season is no longer on the team. However, sophomore outfielder Matt Toomey, who hit .278 and had 21 runs and 37 hits in 133 total at bats, will return. Additionally, the Sharks’ top three leaders in pitching are not returning either. Senior Van Larson, who had a 3.95 ERA which was second best on the team, in 27 pitches he allowed for 24 hits and 13 runs will return for the Sharks.
@ Texas State (March 5-8)
The Cougars will then play three games against the Texas State Bobcats, who will be in the new Pac-12 conference next season. Last season, the Bobcats went 27-31 overall and 14-16 in the Sun Belt Conference, finishing eighth. Last season, the Cougs faced the Bobcats and lost 13-4.
The Bobcats will see the return of senior Chase Mora, who found the most production at the plate last season and was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference second team (third base). Additionally, left-handed pitcher Jesus Tovar, who had a 6.21 ERA and allowed for 81 total hits with 52 runs will return.
@ Utah (Mar. 17)
WSU next travels to Salt Lake City, UT, to play a former Pac-12 rival in the University of Utah Utes. Last season, the Utes went 21-29 overall and 8-22 in the Big 12 conference, finishing last. The Cougs last played the Utes in 2024 for a three game series winning the first game 7-1 but losing the next two.
On the offensive end, the Utes lost production, losing five of their top batters. Redshirt senior Matt Flaherty who hit .280 with 25 doubles, three triples and two home runs and 30 RBI’s. He also went 6-7 on stolen bases. On the pitching side, the Utes will see the return of right-handed pitcher Colter McAnelly who had a 3.79 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP totaling a 4-4 record through 92.2 innings pitched.
@ Gonzaga (Mar. 24, April 21, May 4)
The Cougars will make a short drive up to Spokane two times this season to face the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and the Bulldogs will make the drive to Pullman once. Next season, the Bulldogs will be a conference rival in the new Pac-12 conference. Last season, Gonzaga went 26-27 overall and 16-8 in West Coast Conference play, finishing second. The Cougs played the Bulldogs three time last season winning the first game 7-6 after 10 innings, losing the next game 7-6 also after 10 and losing the final game 9-0.
The Bulldogs welcomed back redshirt junior Mikey Bell, he led the WCC in hits (41) and RBIs (32), he also hit .436 earning a 1.292 OPS in conference play finishing second in the WCC. Additionally Bell was named the WCC player of the year, ABCA All-West region second team and First team all conference. Junior pitcher Erik Hoffberg, who dominated from the mound last season with a 2.73 ERA in WCC, also struck out 71 batters in 54 innings, holding opponents to a .230 batting average.
@ Seattle U (Mar. 31, May 12)
The Cougs will make the trip across the state in March to take on the Seattle University Redhawks. Then in May, the Cougs will welcome the Redhawks to Pullman. Last season, the Redhawks went 20-32 and 8-16 in the Western Atlantic Conference, finishing ninth. The Cougars last played the Redhawks in May, where they were unable to find victory, falling 6-4.
The Redhawks lost nearly all of their top offensive performers from last season. Senior outfielder Jared Stevenson, who hit .260 in 173 at bats and had 11 games with multiple hits, last season he led the team in stolen bases with 11 and also had a home run against the Cougs. On the pitching side, junior right-handed pitcher Micah Hagler who had a team leading 4-3 record through 16 appearances led the team with a 3.66 ERA, will be returning for the Redhawks.
Vs. Oregon State (April 6-7)
Next up, the Cougs will host a familiar face in the Oregon State Beavers. Last season, the Beavs went 48-16-1. The Beavs did not have a conference record as they spent last season as an independent. They will join the Cougs next season in the rebuilt PAC-12 conference. The Cougs last matched up against Oregon State in March of last season for a two game series. Losing both of the games 1-15 and 4-3.
The Beavs will see the return of senior infielder AJ Singer, who had a .312 ERA with 10 doubles, three home runs and 39 RBI’s. Singer was named to the College Baseball Foundation All-American first team, and won the ABCA gold glove as a second baseman. Junior left-handed pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit who started in 17 games amassed an 8-5 record with a 3.56 ERA and struck out 113 through 91 innings. Kleinschmit was named to the ABCA All-America third team and the ABCA All-Region first team.
Vs. Gardner-Webb (April 9-11)
The Gardner-Webb Bulldogs will head to Pullman to face the Cougs. Last season, they were 17-36 overall and in the Big South, the Bulldogs went 6-18 and finished ninth in conference. This will be the first time the Bulldogs and the Cougs face off.
Gardner-Webb will see the return of senior infielder Ryan Kennell, who had 241 at bats totaling 66 hits with 36 runs. Kennell was named to the Big South All-Conference Honorable Mention. Additionally, right-handed pitcher John Pfeffer had a 6.55 ERA and a 3-3 through 55 pitches.
Vs. Portland (April 13)
The Cougs will welcome the Portland Pilots to the Palouse. Last season, the Pilots went 22-30 overall and in the West Coast Conference, they went 13-11, finishing fifth. The last time these two teams faced off was in 2024, where the Pilots emerged victorious 5-3.
Senior infielder Brady Bean who hit .310, had 41 runs and 48 RBI’s on 213 total AB. Will be back. Right-handed pitcher Kaden Segel, who had a 5.37 ERA and a 4-4 record in 21 appearances, also pitched six complete games.
Utah Tech (April 15)
The Cougs will make the trip to St. George, UT, to take on the Utah Tech Trailblazers. Last season, the Blazers went 24-31 overall and went 9-15 in conference, finishing eighth in the Western Athletic Conference. The last time these two teams faced off was in 2024 for a four game series where the Cougs won all four games 12-6, 8-6, 4-7 and 5-1.
Infielder Kyle McDaniel, will return for the Trailblazers. McDaniel was named to the all-WAC second team, he hit with a .367 average in 210 at bats. Totalling 77 hits and hitting four home runs. Additionally he reached base in 52 of his 54 total starts, additionally he set a school record reaching base in 42 straight games.
Pitcher Hudson Manwaring who had a 2.83 ERA and allowed for 46 total hits, 18 runs in 57.1 innings across 10 games.
