Cougars host Oregon over graduation weekend

After winning the series against Utah last weekend, WSU baseball (20-21, 6-12) returns home to face Oregon (25-15, 8-10) in a three-game series starting tonight.

The Cougars are coming off two straight weekend series victories over rival Washington and defending Pac-12 Champion Utah. This recent streak of success is an improvement after WSU dropped ten of 11 games during the first half of April. The Cougars now rank ninth in the conference standings.

WSU continued its run as one of the best offensive teams in the Pac-12 over the weekend. The Cougars rank second in doubles (85), third in runs scored (221) and are tied for third in on-base percentage (.370).

Freshman infielder Dillon Plew leads the team offensively with a .432 on-base percentage, tenth best in the Pac-12. Plew’s 25 walks rank eighth in the conference.

“[Plew] is probably one of the better freshmen hitters I have been around,” Head Coach Marty Lees said.

The Ducks come to Pullman after taking two of three from Arizona State at home. However, those two victories were the only wins out of their last ten contests.

Oregon has struggled offensively all season. Their 195 runs scored is second to last in the Pac-12. They also rank last in doubles (58) and total bases (468).

Defensively, Oregon has been solid all season long. The Ducks rank fourth in runs allowed (166) and second in strikeouts (344).

Oregon is led by junior left-hander David Peterson. The 6-foot-6 ace will start Friday night for the Ducks. In 74 and a third innings, Peterson is third in ERA (1.94), first in strikeouts (107) and first in walks allowed (6) in the Pac-12.

Peterson is projected to be a first-round pick in the latest Baseball America rankings. The Red Sox drafted Peterson in the 28th round of the 2014 MLB Draft.

The Cougars will send redshirt junior left-hander Damon Jones to the mound on Friday to go against Peterson. Jones began the year as the Cougars’ Friday night ace but moved to the bullpen after a tough stretch of games where he allowed 31 runs in 17 and two-thirds innings.

Jones has allowed just one run in his last 12 innings, including starts against Washington and Utah. Lees said he noticed Jones being more aggressive and confident, attacking the bottom part of the strike zone.

Lees has yet to announce Saturday’s starting pitcher. However, Cody Anderson will pitch Sunday afternoon’s game. Anderson continues to be the Cougars’ most consistent pitcher. His 2.76 ERA ranks eighth in the conference and his 47 strikeouts tie him for tenth.

The first pitch of the three-game series is scheduled for 5 p.m. tonight at Bailey-Brayton Field. All three games can be viewed on the WSU livestream.