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As we pointed out Thursday, WSU has a shot at making the NCAA Tournament, and it needs to take care of business in the season’s final games. But WSU missed a great opportunity to bolster its resume Friday night at USC, dropping an 8-6 decision to the Trojans in the first game of a three-game series.
USC used a six-run fourth inning to build a 6-1 lead, and the Trojans would extend that lead to 7-1 in the fifth. WSU managed to claw back and manufacture some runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run single in the seventh to make it 7-4 USC.
The Trojans added a run in the eighth before the Cougs attempted to come back in the ninth. Tristan Peterson hit a two-run homer to get WSU within two, but that was all WSU could muster in the ninth.
WSU even brought the tying runs to the plate in both the seventh and eighth innings but couldn’t cash in.
Brandon White struggled on the mound, giving up seven runs in five innings on 104 pitches.
WSU now sits at 23-21 overall and 10-15 in Pac-12 play. The two teams hit the diamond again today at 2 p.m.
Kyle Manzardo has a bright future
Based on some of the discussions I've been having, it's sounding like Washington State 1B Kyle Manzardo might become the highest picked position player from WSU in 33 years (Dave Wainhouse). Pretty good chance he'll be drafted higher than John Olerud was (no. 79). #MLBDraft
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) May 15, 2021
Links
New Commish
George Kliavkoff’s to-do list: Eight tasks the new Pac-12 commissioner should take up now | The Spokesman-Review
George Kliavkoff’s tenure leading the Pac-12 begins July 1. We have some advice on where to start.
Three Reasons Why George Kliavkoff Fits as Pac-12 Commissioner - Sports Illustrated USC Trojans News, Analysis and More
Kliavkoff was officially announced new commissioner of the Pac-12, Thursday afternoon.
What does the new Pac-12 Commissioner bring to the table?
Dan Wetzel and Pat Forde were shocked by the news that former MGM Resorts executive George Kliavkoff is replacing Larry Scott as the Pac-12 commissioner. Hear the full conversation on the Yahoo Sports College Podcast. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen.
The Best of the Rest
T&F Wraps Up Day One of Pac-12 Championships - Washington State University Athletics
Carolina Ulloa-Daza secured the first team point for the Washington State women Friday afternoon, as she placed eighth overall in the hammer throw. Carolina recorded a throw of 192-feet 5 inches (58.65m) to secure her eighth-place spot in the opening women's event of the Pac-12 Championships.
WSU’s Late-Inning Comebacks Held Off at USC - Washington State University Athletics
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m.
Rowing Set for the 2021 Pac-12 Championship this Sunday on Pac-12 Network - Washington State University Athletics
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The No. 19-ranked Washington State rowing team heads down to California this Sunday, May 16, to compete in the 2021 Pac-12 Rowing Championships