Cougars’ Magical Season Concludes With Blowout Loss to Beavers
The Washington State Cougars’ remarkable 2026 baseball season came to an end Sunday afternoon with a 10-1 loss to Oregon State in an elimination game at the NCAA Eugene Regional.
The Cougars opened the regional with a stunning 3-2 victory over the Beavers on Friday, earning a spot in the winners bracket. The win evened the season series between the two programs at two games apiece. While the final result was disappointing for Wazzu fans, it did little to overshadow one of the most memorable and successful seasons in recent program history, highlighted by Washington State's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.
Washington State entered the regional having already exceeded expectations. The Cougars shocked Oregon State in the opener behind a complete-game performance from left-hander Nick Lewis. That victory set up a winners bracket matchup against regional host Oregon.
After falling 4-0 to the Ducks on Saturday, largely due to a dominant outing from Oregon pitcher Will Sanford, Washington State faced Oregon State once again with its season on the line. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the momentum that carried them to a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference and a Mountain West Tournament championship finally ran out.
Washington State starter Griffin Smith ran into trouble early, pitching just two innings while allowing five hits, four runs, and three walks. Oregon State quickly took control of the game, building an 8-0 lead after four innings.
Beavers catcher Jacob Gallaway turned in an outstanding performance, going 4-for-4 with five RBIs. Oregon State pitcher Trey Morris kept Washington State's lineup off balance throughout the afternoon, allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings.
The Cougars scored their lone run in the seventh inning when Trevor Smith delivered an RBI double. However, much like the previous two games in the regional, Washington State struggled offensively. The Cougars scored just four total runs across their three NCAA Tournament games.
Although the loss ended Washington State’s postseason run, the bigger story remains the program’s tremendous progress. The Cougars finished the season with a 31-28 record, their highest win total since 2010. Just one year after finishing last in the Mountain West Conference, Washington State climbed all the way to second place before capturing the conference tournament title.
It was an incredible season for Washington State. Not only did the Cougars build momentum as they prepare to return to the Pac-12, but they also ended a 16-year NCAA Tournament drought and established a foundation for future success. This team raised the standard for the program and showed what Washington State baseball is capable of achieving in the years ahead.
