The Cougs found themselves trailing early once again, but this time they were unable to dig out of a hole, eventually falling 8-7.
The game started off on a positive note as Wazzu went up 2-0 in the first on run-scoring singles by Jared Prince and Derek Jones. Gonzaga came right back in the bottom half of the inning and took the lead following a three-run homer by third baseman David Chatwood off WSU starter David Stilley. Stilley was pulled after getting just two outs. Why Marbut chose to start him is up for debate. It's possible he figured he could get some innings out of him following his short outing against the Beavers on Sunday.
After falling behind 8-4, the Cougs rallied with three runs in the seventh. Cody Bartlett drove in the first two with a single down the left field line, and Jay Ponciano scored what proved to be the final run of the game on a balk.
WSU threatened in both of the last two innings and had four shots with men in scoring positing to drive in the tying run, but were unable to come through in the clutch.
So the Cougs' postseason hopes come down to a final weekend series against the University of Washington. To quote Samuel L. Jackson's character in Jurassic Park, "Hold on to yer butts."
C'mon Cougs. Beat the Dawgs.