PULLMAN, Wash. (Interstat) — Ryan Skjonsby’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning broke a tie and lifted Washington State to a 3-2 victory over Gardner-Webb in a tightly contested nonconference baseball game Thursday at Bailey–Brayton Field.

The game was a pitchers’ duel for much of the afternoon, with both starters delivering eight-inning performances. Washington State’s Nick Lewis earned the win, allowing two runs, only one earned, on eight hits while striking out two. Gardner-Webb’s Oliver Ellison was the hard-luck loser, surrendering three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts over eight full frames.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the eighth inning with the score knotted at 2. After Ellison struck out two Cougars, Dustin Robinson sparked the rally with his third hit of the day, a double down the left field line. Skjonsby followed by slapping a 1-2 pitch through the right side, scoring Robinson from second with what proved to be the winning run. Skjonsby then stole second and advanced to third on a walk, but Ellison escaped further damage.

Washington State (16-17) opened the scoring in the second inning when Robinson launched a solo home run to deep center field off Ellison. Gardner-Webb (16-18) responded in the fifth. Zack Thompson doubled and scored on a single by Allan Camarillo to tie the game at 1.

The Cougars pulled even again in the fifth. Kyler Northrop tripled and scored on an RBI single from Gavin Roy, making it 2-2.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs had taken a brief 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh without the benefit of a hit. Sam Smith reached on an error, advanced to third on a sacrifice and a flyout, and then scored on a throwing error by Washington State catcher Cole Thein on a pickoff attempt.

Both teams squandered opportunities with runners in scoring position. Gardner-Webb left two on in the sixth after back-to-back singles, and Washington State left the bases loaded in the second inning. The Cougars also stranded two in the sixth.

After Lewis finished the eighth, August Richie closed the door in the ninth for Washington State, retiring the side in order to secure the save and seal the one-run victory.

Robinson led the Cougars’ offense, going 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Skjonsby added two hits and the game-winning RBI.

For Gardner-Webb, Camarillo and Ethan Liao each had a hit and an RBI. The Runnin’ Bulldogs managed eight hits but could not capitalize fully, stranding five runners.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Gardner-Webb, while Washington State improved to .500 at home this season.

The teams continue their three-game series Friday afternoon at Bailey–Brayton Field.