Washington State battled No. 19 Arizona in a wild series opener, taking a lead in the ninth inning but ultimately falling 8-7 after Arizona's three unearned runs clinched the victory.

By the Numbers
  • Washington State shortstop Kyle Russell had a four-hit night and drove in the go-ahead runs with a two-run single in the ninth.
  • Arizona improved to 22-14 overall and 11-5 in conference play with their eighth consecutive conference win.
Yes, But

The Cougars had a strong offensive performance, highlighted by multiple-hit games from four players, but defensive errors in the ninth inning cost them the game.

State of Play
  • Washington State's record stands at 18-18 overall and 7-12 in the Pac-12.
  • Arizona now holds a record of 22-14 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
What's Next

The series will continue on Saturday at 6 p.m., offering Washington State a chance to bounce back from the tough opening loss.

Bottom Line

Despite a valiant effort from Washington State, defensive lapses allowed Arizona to snatch the victory, highlighting the critical impact of solid defense in tight games.