Early response, Meyers' stellar relief outing propel Washington State past San Diego State, into Mountain West title game
May 23—MESA, Ariz. — Washington State's starting pitcher got shelled for five runs in the first inning. In a defining moment for the Cougars, in their most important game yet, the response was immediate and decisive.
WSU piled up eight runs in the second inning, quickly wiping away an ominous start to its Mountain West Conference tournament semifinal game Saturday against top-seeded San Diego State at Sloan Park. The second-seeded Cougars reclaimed momentum early and maintained it, and got a sparkling relief effort from a usual starter en route to a 14-9 victory over the Aztecs. The Cougars (29-25) are one win away from earning their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2010.
They'll play for a conference tourney title at 12:05 p. m. Sunday against the winner of Saturday's later game between SDSU and Air Force.
Because the Cougs are 2-0 at the tournament, they'd play a second game Sunday afternoon if they were to drop the first matchup. "We're very happy. This was our goal," WSU pitcher Luke Meyers said during a postgame interview on the Mountain West Network.
"But the job isn't finished. We're gonna continue to go at it tomorrow, and we're gonna win it, man. " Meyers, usually the Cougs' No.