LAS VEGAS (March 24, 2021) – Washington State dropped a 15-8 decision to UNLV at Wilson Stadium Wednesday afternoon after taking the first game of the series 10-5, Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Cougars, who are 13-5 for the first time since 2010, saw four players record multiple hits while first baseman Kyle Manzardo tallied two hits to extend his on-base streak to 42 games, tying Brady Everett's WSU record set in 2005. UNLV improved to 8-4 after recording 16 hits and took advantage of 14 walks.
 
Washington State trailed 9-1 through three innings and eventually made a 9-8 game with a six-run fifth inning but the Rebels pulled away with two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh.
 
KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Albrecht muscled a single back up the middle and beat the throw at first to allow Justin Van De Brake to score. UNLV answered in a big way in the bottom of the frame, pushing five runs across on just two hits but took advantage of three walks, a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch.
 
UNLV was at it again in the third inning, adding four runs on four hits, a pair of walks and a Cougar error for a 9-1 advantage. WSU added a run in the fourth with a two-out RBI-single from Gunner Gouldsmith to make it 9-2.
 
It was WSU's turn for a big inning, this time scoring seven runs in the fifth to make it a 9-8 game. The Cougars sent 11 men to plate and received a Collin Montez RBI-single, a Jacob McKeon bases loaded walk, a two-run single from Kodie Kolden and a two-run double from Manzardo.
 
The Cougars loaded the bases in the sixth but saw the threat ended with a groundout. UNLV pulled away with two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh for a 14-8 advantage.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Manzardo singled in the 1^st inning to extend his on-base streak to 42 games, tying the longest in WSU history (42, Brady Everett – 2005)
Tristan Peterson walked in the 5^th to extend his on-base streak to 17 games
Jack Smith singled in the 5^th inning to extend his on-base streak to 13 games
Catcher Louie Albrecht made his 1^st career start, had RBI-infield single in 1^st career at-bat
 
NEXT UP
The Cougars head to Tempe of a weekend series at No. 16 Arizona State.
 
TOP SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

.@KyleTMazardo singles in the 1st inning and has now reached base in 42 straight games! Tying the WSU record set by Brady Everett in 2005.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/RIN41nE9oN
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) March 24, 2021
 

In his 1st career AB, Louie Albrecht beats out an infield single with 2 outs to allow a run to score!

T2 | 1-0 Cougs#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/58hpjFZgiY
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) March 24, 2021
 

And it's a 1-run game!@KyleTMazardo doubles to RC and two runners score!

Once down 9-1, it's now 9-8#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/yhuNDZEQd1
— Washington State Baseball (@wsucougarbsb) March 24, 2021