Cougar Baseball wins series over Oregon State

Good morning, Cougar fans. In case you were unaware, the Cougar baseball team hasn't exactly been a success story in 2016. They lost four of their first five games, and later lost three of four to some school called Utah Valley. Things didn't get much better when conference play began, as they were swept at UCLA. The Cougs had only won one series in the entirety of the season, taking three of four from Northeastern.

Given all of that, it was reasonable to hope for maybe one win this weekend over Oregon State, who entered the series ranked anywhere seventh to tenth in the nation, depending on which poll you prefer. Instead, new coach Marty Lees and his Cougars closed out a heck of a series on Saturday by winning the rubber game. What's more is that the Cougs suffered a 12-3 beatdown at the hands of the Beavers on Thursday, then rebounded to win the final two games.

Unlike Friday afternoon when WSU used a power surge in the form of a go-ahead grand slam, the Cougar bats employed "death by a thousand paper cuts" tactics on Saturday. Their run-scoring plays were: sacrifice fly, wild pitch, single, sacrifice fly, single and single. Thanks to a bevy of baserunners, that led to eight runs. On the mound, sophomore Scotty Sunitsch was tremendous, pitching four-and-two-thirds innings of scoreless relief.

It all amounted to what is easily Cougar Baseball's best performance of the season. Hopefully it serves as a building block for what is to come. Regardless, it was great to see the Cougs get off the mat and land some punches. WSU hopes to continue its winning ways on Tuesday against Gonzaga.

PS - Not only is it a great Sunday because the Cougs won. It's a great Sunday because I woke up early and got these made-to-order mini doughnuts at a new place here in South Tampa (showing up after nine means waiting in a line that starts outside). I ordered two maple bacon, two maple bacon with sriracha and two peanut butter cup.

Asking me which one was best would pretty much put me in a Sophie's Choice situation. So do yourself a favor and have something yummy today. Like a coworker says, nobody has ever been angry while they ate a doughnut. Happy Sunday.

Baseball

Sunitsch, Cougar Bats Take Series From No. 10 Oregon State - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The Cougars outhit OSU 11-8, scored once in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before pulling away with four runs in the eighth.

OSU baseball: Cougars top Beavers in rubber match | Baseball | gazettetimes.com
Luke Heimlich struck out seven in his fifth start of the season, but allowed eight hits and four runs – two earned – over six innings and was charged with the loss. He dropped to 4-1 on the year.

Football

Cougars Get Offensive in Second Spring Scrimmage - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State football held its second scrimmage of the spring, accounting for nearly 100 plays in Martin Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Cougars used Oklahoma connection to land defensive end Garrett McBroom | The Spokesman-Review
An upperclassman addition on the line was a welcome addition for the Cougars, who graduated a pair of all-conference defensive ends off last year’s 9-4 team. The need became more apparent when starting end Daniel Ekuale went down with an undisclosed injury early in spring practices.

Mike Leach rails on 'selfish,' 'lazy' SEC 'babies,' takes on satellite camps ban | AL.com
"And if Jim Harbaugh is in their head, they better analyze themselves. That says more about them than it does Jim Harbaugh."

2016 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Joe Dahl, OT Washington State | Draft Breakdown
Joe Dahl started out his career at Montana before transferring home to play for the team he grew up rooting for in Washington State. Starting at left guard before taking over the left tackle spot in the team’s bowl game as a sophomore, Dahl hasn’t looked back the past 2 years.

Beer

Best Beer I had this week: It was a stouty (if we're inventing words) week. First, I tried a Thomas Creek Chocolate Banana Split Stout that was quite good. The folks in North Carolina make some great stuff. Next, I stopped by Cigar City and tried an Imperial Stout they made with De Molen, a brewery from the Netherlands. I will be going back for more. It was incredible.

Anheuser-Busch increases its craft beer roster
Anheuser-Busch has bolstered its craft beer acquisitions with the purchase of award-winning Devils Backbone Brewing Co., of Virginia.

Non-Sports

Congratulations! You’ve Been Fired - The New York Times
Treating workers as if they are widgets to be used up and discarded is a central part of the revised relationship between employers and employees that techies proclaim is an innovation as important as chips and software.