After a game one win with late-inning dramatics and a tough game two loss, WSU fell short in a convincing 7-2 game three loss against California State University Bakersfield at Hardt Field.

The Cougars came out slow offensively, not scoring until the eighth inning. They struggled defensively, making four pitching changes and giving up seven runs within eight innings.

In the first inning, WSU started with a double from sophomore first baseman Kyle Manzardo and a walk drawn by junior right fielder Collin Montez putting runners in scoring position with two outs. The Cougars would follow that up with the final out, stranding both runners.

In the bottom of the first, junior pitcher Michael Newstrom struggled early for WSU, giving up two runs from an RBI triple and a wild pitch.

The Roadrunners would add on to their 2-0 lead with back-to-back doubles making the game 3-0 and leaving a runner on second.

A wild pitch and a walk put runners on first and third for CSUB. This ended Newstrom’s day at the mound, and junior pitcher Brody Barnum relieved him.

Barnum threw a wild pitch and CSUB scored, making the game 4-0 in CSUB’s favor.

In the bottom of the third, the Cougars struggled again giving up a single and two walks but escaped the inning with no runs allowed.

In the fifth, the Cougars would make their second pitching change of the game, sitting Barnum and bringing in sophomore pitcher Connor Barison.

WSU looked for a spark in the sixth inning by getting two runners on base early with no outs. However, three consecutive outs would halt this spark highlighted by a double play from CSUB.

The Cougar’s offense found some ground in the eighth with runners on second and third due to a walk, a single and a wild pitch. Sacrifice grounders from Manzardo and Montez would score two runs for WSU making it 4-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, WSU sat Barison and brought in redshirt junior pitcher Radd Thomas.

He would not finish the inning, giving up three runs in 0.2 innings and was replaced by freshman pitcher Grant Taylor.

WSU headed into the bottom of the ninth trailing 7-2. The Cougars would have a chance to spark a late comeback, but the batters were retired quickly from a strikeout, a flyout and a groundout.