Preview: Washington State Cougars at BYU Cougars

LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — A pair of Cougars will clash under the lights Thursday when Washington State faces BYU in a nonconference baseball game at Blair Field.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. PST under cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 70s. The game is part of a multi-team event in Long Beach.

Washington State (3-4) arrives after splitting a four-game series at Cal Poly, capped by a 5-4 win Monday. The bullpen was key in that victory, with Gavin Derr, Rylan Haider and Kaden Wickersham combining for six scoreless innings of relief. Derr, a player to watch, has not allowed a hit in his last 2 2/3 innings.

BYU (4-3) is coming off an 11-3 road win at UC Riverside on Monday, powered by a 17-hit attack. Shortstop Ryder Robinson went 4 for 5 with an RBI, while second baseman Luke Anderson drove in two. On the mound, reliever Cayson Bell was dominant, throwing four hitless innings with four strikeouts. Bell is expected to be a key arm again for the BYU pitching staff.

The matchup features teams with identical nicknames but divergent early-season paths. Washington State seeks consistency after a 1-2 start at Alabama and the split at Cal Poly. BYU has shown offensive bursts, scoring nine or more runs in three of its four wins.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, BYU is projected to win 5-3.

Washington State’s schedule does not ease up, as this game begins a stretch of 10 straight away from home. BYU continues its season-opening road swing before hosting a series next week.

Following Thursday’s game, the teams will meet again Friday at the same venue. Washington State then faces Long Beach State on Saturday and Sunday, while BYU takes on Long Beach State on Saturday.