After the 18-0 blowout that Oregon State handed WSU last night, the Cougs came back with a vengeance in game two. In what was a bullpen day for WSU, they limited the No. 7 ranked Beavers to six hits, four walks and eight strikeouts.
WSU struck early and often in the Pac-2 matchup. They broke the seal in the first inning when third baseman Ollie Obenour roped a single to left field, bringing shortstop Gavin Roy in to score.
WSU second baseman Gavin Roy scoring a run against Oregon State University, April 7, 2026.
Two batters later, first baseman Ryan Skjonsby yanked a ball into right field to scrape Obenour and outfielder Dustin Robinson across. All of these tallies came with two outs, showing the Cougs toughness with their backs to the wall.
After four strikeouts helped sit down the Beavers in the second and third, WSU managed to get back on the board again. After a Max Hartman single and stolen base, it was Skjonsby smacking a ball into center that brought the Canadian outfielder home.
The Cougs kept the Beavs in check for as long as they could. However, they stumbled in the sixth, committing three errors and giving up a two-run home run to third baseman Paul Vazquez. Moments later, catcher Ryan VanderBrink scored when Obenour threw a ball away, dissolving the Coug lead to only one run.
But, WSU barred their teeth in the sixth when designated hitter Dane Chavez smoked a double down the left field line to cash in on Robinson’s leadoff double. One blink later, Chavez scampered home on a wild pitch, making it 6-3 late in the game.
The Cougs also managed to get some insurance in the eighth, when second baseman Kyler Northrop flew out to right field, scoring Chavez from third.
The game quieted down after that, giving WSU hope of coasting to the three-run upset win. However, OSU threatened in the ninth and threatened hard.
WSU Right-Handed Pitcher Rylan Haider lets a pitch loose against Oregon State University, April 7, 2026.
An Easton Talt triple to right field sparked the Beavs, allowing left fielder Adam Haight’s double to make it 7-4. Then, designated hitter Bryce Hubbard launched a two-run homer into orbit, cutting the Cougar lead to just a single run.
However, WSU did not blink. Relief man Scott Rienguette struck out the last batter of the ball game, sealing the deal on WSU’s 7-6 upset win over the No. 7 ranked OSU Beavers.
After the two-game series split against OSU, the Cougs stay at home to take on Gardner Webb for three games of non-conference baseball. The series kicks off on April 9 and wraps up on April 11.
