While most people were focused on the upsets in the NCAA Tournament, the Cougar baseball team was busy shutting out No. 6 Arizona in their first game of Pac-12 play.
J.D. Leckenby tossed 6.1 shutout innings on his way to the win. WSU featured a well balanced offensive attack with seven different Cougars notching at least one hit. Even more impressive, the Cougs knocked around Arizona's Kurt Heyer, one of the best pitchers in the Pac-12.
This is a rather large win for Donnie Marbut's squad. After a somewhat disappointing non-conference performance, WSU is going to need a few wins like this if they are going to have a chance to make the NCAA tournament. Currently, six Pac-12 teams are ranked in the Baseball America top 25. Since 2004, the Pac-12 has averaged five tournament bids per season So even though Arizona State is ineligible this season, WSU has ground to make up.
WSU and Arizona will play a doubleheader today. Winning at least one game and taking the series would be a fantastic start to conference play.
Men's Basketball
Cougars Take on Cowboys Monday in CBI Quarterfinals - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
COUGARS HOST COWBOYS IN CBI QUARTERFINALS: Washington State University men's basketball (16-16) returns home to host Wyoming (21-11) in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Quarterfinals, Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at Beasley Coliseum.
Getting to know Wyoming - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - March 16, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — We haven't done a question-and-answer session with an opposing team's beat writer in quite a while. But since Robert Gagliardi of the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle made himself available this week, we asked him a few questions about the Cowboys. Read on for his answers.
Baseball
Cougar Open Conference Play with a Shutout - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
"We played a complete game tonight," Washington State Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "It was key for us to score early and put pressure on (Arizona starter Kurt) Heyer. We did a good job of running his pitch count up and J.D. (Leckenby) was great for us."
WSU baseball opens Pac-12 play with win - Sports: Mid-Columbia Sports Blog | Tri-City Herald : Mid-Columbia news
TUCSON, Ariz. J.D. Leckenby and a pair of relievers combined for a shutout as Washington State won its Pac-12 opener Friday 6-0 over No. 6 Arizona at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona baseball shut out by Washington State in Pac-12 opener
J.D. Leckenby led a shutout performance for Washington State as it defeated Arizona baseball 6-0 in the Pac-12 opener for both schools Friday at Hi Corbett Field.
Cougs Blank Cats In Pac-12 Opener - University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site
TUCSON, Ariz. - Washington State received a strong pitching performance from starter J.D. Leckenby and three Cougar hurlers combined to shut out No. 6 Arizona in the Pac-12 opener for both schools before a crowd of 2,306 at Hi Corbett Field on Friday night.
UA-WSU To Play Two on Saturday - University of Arizona Wildcats Official Athletic Site
TUCSON, Ariz. - An approaching weather system forecasted to impact Southern Arizona on Sunday has forced a double-header to be scheduled between Arizona and Washington State on Saturday. The first game will begin at 1 p.m. with the second slated for Saturday's original start time of 6 p.m. (MST).
Football
Ten wide receivers to watch this season – College Gridiron 365 Blog – Orlando Sentinel
Marquess Wilson, Washington State Buzz: There was no sophomore slump for Marquess Wilson last season. The Cougars’ top target had 1,388 receiving yards on 82 catches and can only expect those numbers to climb with the addition of new head coach Mike Leach and his Air Raid offensive scheme.