Courtesy of Washington State Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Washington State opened the 2026 season with an impressive 8-4 victory over Alabama at Sewell-Thomas Stadium Friday afternoon.

Max Hartman had three hits, homered, scored three times and stole base and Ryan Skjonsby homered as the Cougars collected 10 hits while five pitchers combined to strike out 11 Crimson Tide hitters. Freshman leadoff hitter Trevor Smith had a pair of hits, scored twice and stole a base, Dustin Robinson had two hits including a two-run single in the first inning and Matt Priest had a pair of RBI including an RBI-double.

Cougar starting pitcher Luke Meyers struck out three and allowed one earned run while working into the fourth inning. Reliever Rylan Haider came up big with four strikeouts over his two innings of work.

KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
Smith led off the game with an infield single to third base and Hartman was hit by a pitch before Robinson singled in both for a 2-0 Cougar lead. Skjonsby launched a two-run shot to right field in the fourth inning before Hartman hit a no-doubt solo shot deep to right field and Priest pulled an RBI-double down the left field line in the fifth inning for a 7-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Alabama loaded the bases with three walks to start the frame but reliever Rylan Haider kept the inning small with three strikeouts and just one run coming across.

Haider worked a scoreless sixth, Kaden Wickersham worked a scoreless seventh inning before Scott Rienguette closed out the final two innings.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Trevor Smith led off and started in centerfield in his collegiate debut
Smith reached on an infield single to third base in his 1st career at-bat
Dustin Robinson’s first career at-bat as a Coug was a 2-run single in the 1st
Matt Priest made his collegiate debut, started in left field
Priest’ 1st career hit was an RBI-double to left field
Cam Macleod made his Cougar debut, started behind the plate
Mason Pirello made his collegiate debut as a pinch-runner in the 5th
Luke Meyers earned the win
Rylan Haider matched a career high with 4 strikeouts
Scott Rienguette made his Cougar debut

NEXT UP
The series continues Saturday at Noon (PT).