Washington State has secured a strong victory over Air Force in the 2026 Mountain West Baseball Championship, winning 5 to 1 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The Washington State baseball win came through an early offensive surge and a dominant pitching performance.
No. 2 seed Washington State finished the game with a 28 to 25 overall record, while No. 3 Air Force dropped to 26 to 27. Both teams entered the game with identical conference records, making the matchup highly competitive on paper.
The Cougars quickly took control of the game, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding two more in the second. This early burst gave Washington State a strong lead that Air Force was unable to recover from.
Pitcher Nick Lewis delivered a standout performance for Washington State. The Mountain West Pitcher of the Year threw 8.2 innings and recorded 11 strikeouts. He earned his ninth win of the season and came close to completing a full game, falling just one out short of a rare tournament complete game.
Offensively, Gavin Roy played a key role for the Cougars. He collected two hits, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Ryan Skjonsby also contributed with a two run triple in the opening inning that helped set the tone early.
The Washington State baseball win was built on strong execution in both pitching and hitting. The team’s ability to score early and maintain pressure proved decisive in the matchup.
Air Force struggled to respond after the early deficit. Despite efforts to close the gap, the team could not break through Washington State’s pitching control.
With the win, Washington State advances to face top seeded San Diego State in the next round of the tournament. That game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Air Force will now face New Mexico in an elimination game at 9:05 a.m. MST. The winner will continue in the tournament while the loser will be eliminated.
The championship is part of the Credit Union 1 Mountain West Baseball Championship, held at Sloan Park. The tournament brings together top teams from the conference in a double elimination format.
Washington State’s strong start in the game proved to be the difference. Scoring five runs in the first two innings gave them full control early and allowed their pitching staff to manage the rest of the game effectively.
Coaches and analysts noted that early momentum is often critical in tournament play. Washington State’s aggressive approach at the plate reflected their preparation and confidence.
The result strengthens Washington State’s position in the tournament as they move deeper into the bracket. Their performance will be tested next against a top seeded opponent.
