Cougars try to stay hot against Bulldogs

WSU scored 47 runs in a four-game sweep over the weekend

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ABIGAIL LINNENKOHL

Junior infielder Jack Smith rounds first base after a hit in game 3 against Niagara on Saturday evening at Bailey-Brayton Field.

KATIE ARCHER, Evergreen reporter

WSU baseball looks to keep its win streak alive against the Gonzaga University Bulldogs at 3:05 p.m. today at Bailey-Brayton Field.

The Cougars (9-6) are coming off their sweep of the Niagara University Purple Eagles at home over the weekend. This is the Cougars’ first sweep since April 2018.

Over the weekend, the Cougars scored 47 runs and allowed the Purple Eagles to score 16 runs. Senior pitcher A.J. Block had his third consecutive 10 strikeout game of the season. Block leads the team with 34 strikeouts and has an ERA of 3.25. Sophomore pitcher Zane Mills has 32 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.44.

Junior left fielder Justin Van De Brake hit his second grand slam of the season over the weekend. He leads the team with 19 RBIs and is second on the team with 18 hits. Sophomore first baseman Kyle Manzardo leads the team with 25 hits and 20 runs.

Gonzaga (5-10) split its four-game series with California State University, Northridge in Spokane, Washington.

WSU won the last matchup 9-5 on May 6, 2019, and then-freshman pitcher Connor Barison got the win. WSU holds a 31-28 overall record against Gonzaga. The Cougars went 2-1 against the Bulldogs last season.