Nick Lewis twirls gem, Cougs advance to semi-finals
Feb 14, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Washington State second baseman Luke Thiele takes a throw and tags out Alabama base runner Bryce Fowler (9) on an attempted steal at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Alabama played a double header against Washington State Saturday to escape Sunday’s forecast rain. | Gary Cosby Jr.
-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The three runs the Washington State Cougars tacked on in the first inning proved to be plenty of run support for left-handed starter Nick Lewis who mowed down the Air Force Falcons en route to a 5-1 victory. Lewis was simply brilliant for WSU. He took a shutout in the ninth inning and was an out away from a complete game, going 8.
2 innings. He surrendered just one unearned runs, giving up seven hits and striking out 11 Falcons. His efforts earned him his ninth win of the season.
After retiring the side in order in the top half of the first, the Cougars pounced on the Air Force starter Jordan Watkins. Gavin Roy got the party started with a double into left center. With two outs and Roy still standing on second, Matt Priest laced a single up the middle to score Roy and give WSU the early 1-0 lead.
After a Dustin Robinson walk, Ryan Skjonsby delivered a triple down the right field line into the corner to push two more across and make it a 3-0 lead. With two outs in the bottom half of the second, Trevor Smith kept the inning going with a single into right. The next batter, Roy, got a breaking ball on a 1-2 count and didn’t miss, sending his second home run of the season just over the wall in left to extend the lead out to 5-0.