Spokane, Wash. (May 4, 2026) – The Washington State Cougars faced off against Gonzaga and lost 10-5 in a nonconference match-up.
The Cougars (25-23) were on a roll, winning five straight series for the first time since 1999. In this game, four players stood out with multiple hits. Trevor Smith led the team with three hits. Gavin Roy, Matt Priest, and Ollie Obenour each added two hits, with Obenour also hitting a home run and driving in two runs.
WSU started strong, leading 5-2 going into the sixth inning. However, Gonzaga (29-17) exploded with nine hits, scoring seven runs to take control of the game. Both teams struggled with runners left on base, with each leaving eight.
Key moments included the Cougars loading the bases early and bringing in two runs through walks. Smith helped add another run with a solid single in the second inning. On the other hand, Gonzaga answered back in the third with two runs, aided by a double play and a wild pitch. Obenour’s solo home run in the sixth gave the Cougars their 5-2 lead, but Gonzaga quickly regained momentum and flipped the score.
In terms of hitting statistics, WSU’s season has been noteworthy. They’ve been hit by pitch 100 times so far, matching the second-highest total in school history. This ties with 2010, just shy of the record 107 set in 2004. Trevor Smith’s hitting streak reached six games, while Gavin Roy’s impressive on-base streak hit 35 games, the fifth-longest in WSU history. However, Max Hartman’s streaks were halted at 14 games on-base and five games hitting.
Looking ahead, the Cougars are set for a weekend series against Air Force in Colorado Springs starting Friday.
Recent trends in college baseball show that hitting and base-running have become crucial for winning games. Coaches increasingly emphasize aggressive strategies to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The rise of analytics in sports also plays a role, helping teams make informed decisions on player matchups and strategies. As reported by the NCAA, teams that utilize these strategies can see significant improvements in their win rates, underscoring the evolution of the game.
For more insights into NCAA baseball trends, check out the NCAA’s official site here.
