The Cougar bats stayed hot Sunday against Gardner Webb, with the pitching bearing down late in a 5-3 win. With this win the Cougars are now 18-17 and have won seven of their last nine games.
The Cougars were down early and clawed their way back throughout the game. They took their first lead in the sixth inning on a 109 mph RBI single from who else but Max Hartman. They would tack on another run in the seventh on an RBI single from Northrop to make it 5-3.
“Just seeing how this team comes back after taking punches, it gives the guys confidence and it gives me confidence that we’re gonna continue on this way,” Hartman said.
WSU First Baseman Ryan Skjonsby makes a hit against Gardner-Webb University, April 11, 2026.
Gardner Webb scored all three runs in the first inning. It started with a single followed by an error that gave the Bulldogs runners on the corners. Third baseman Drew Ripepi smoked the second pitch he saw over the right field wall. All three runs were unearned.
The Cougs would answer back. Center fielder Trevor Smith led off the game with a double and Hartman hit a sac-fly the other way to bring Smith in. Hartman ended the day going 2-4 with two RBIs, a run and a stolen base.
The Cougs kept at it in the third inning. First baseman Ryan Skjonsby singled, scoring Hartman easily from third.
In the fourth, Smith showed off his power smashing a ball off the light pole in left field to tie the game at three. Cole Watterson replaced Smith in the seventh inning for precautionary reasons. Smith finished 2-3 with two extra base hits, an RBI and a walk.
WSU Shortstop Kyler Northrop sends the ball to first base against Gardner-Webb University, April 11, 2026.
On the mound, Meyers recovered after the first inning. In his final line, Meyers went 6.0 innings, giving up no earned runs on six hits, two walks and four strikeouts.
“We’re pitching better, I think that’s an important part… and we’re not walking as many guys,” Choate said.
Erik Rodriguez and August Richie pitched in relief and gave up no runs. Richie earned the elusive six-out save and did it with style, inducing a 1-6-3 double play to end it. That was the third double play the Cougs made and that is not an accident.
“We’re pitching in…you can see how many ground balls we’re getting,” Choate said. “We’re more on the attack instead of under attack.”
The Cougars next game is Monday April 13 at 12:05 p.m. at Bailey-Brayton Field against the University of Portland.
