Washington State Captures 2026 Mountain West Baseball Championship
The Cougars clinched the conference crown with a 14-4 victory over San Diego State, a game that ended early thanks to a run-rule mercy rule. The win marks the team's first Mountain West tournament title since 1995 and guarantees an automatic berth in the NCAA regionals.
The matchup at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, began with both squads trading early blows. San Diego State took a 3-3 tie after three innings, highlighted by a run that scored on a wild pitch involving Max Farrell in the bottom of the fourth.
Offensive Fireworks in the Fifth and Seventh
Washington State answered with three runs in the top of the fifth before a flurry of activity in the sixth. Back-to-back doubles from Dustin Robinson and Ryan Skjonsby pushed the lead to 6-4, and Robinson’s second double of the game tied a tournament championship record.
The decisive moment arrived in the seventh inning, where the Cougars exploded for seven runs. The rally was anchored by Robinson’s clutch hitting and a strong outing from pitcher Scott Rienguette, who earned the win after striking out six batters in 3.2 innings.
Gavin Roy was recognized as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after delivering eight hits, seven RBIs and six runs across four games. His performance underscored a team effort that blended power, speed and disciplined pitching.
The victory not only ends a 31-year conference title drought but also returns the Cougars to the NCAA regional stage for the first time since 2010. Fans and alumni alike are celebrating the milestone, which promises to fuel recruiting and future success.