2012 Record: 28-28
2012 Finish: The Cougars finished just like I though they would have, playing average-to-below-average baseball. While they didn’t finish with a losing season, only winning 28 games in a season is not going to turn heads. Washington State won only one conference series last year, taking a three-game set against Oregon.
The Cougars lost their top four hitters from 2012 but return a few players with some starting experience in P.J. Jones, who hit for a
.303 average and 20 RBIs in his 28 starts, and Collin Slaybaugh, who hit for a .296 average in his 32 starts.
Washington State returners all four of its starting pitchers from 2012, which includes Joe Pistorese, Tanner Chleborad, J.D. Leckenby and Kyle Swannack, all of whom combined for only 15 wins. Needless to say whether that rotation stays the same for 2013, at least the Cougars have experience on the mound.
Key Series: I do not see the Cougars competing for much this season other than not to finish last in the conference. With that said, their key series will come against their in-state rival, Washington. When your season is a failure, it is always good to have bragging rights over your rival.
About the Author
Craig Amick
Tyler Knowles
Jono Greco
Blake Colston
Nick Gryniewicz
Kirsten Karbach