Cougars fall to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - With Arkansas on the verge of blowing a comfortable lead, coach Dave Van Horn made yet another pitching change - and finally found the right man for the job.

Jordan Pratt helped the Razorbacks escape a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the eighth inning, and Arkansas held on for a 6-4 win over Washington State on Saturday night in the Fayetteville Regional.

With Arkansas (42-18) up 5-3, starter Drew Smyly came out of the game after seven innings. DJ Baxendale began the eighth but failed to retire a batter, loading the bases. Geoffrey Davenport then came in and walked Derek Jones on four pitches to force in a run.

That was when Pratt came on. He retired Matt Fanelli on a popout, Michael Weber on a strikeout and former Coeur d'Alene High standout Shea Vucinich on a flyout to preserve the lead.

Washington State (35-21) will play Kansas State (37-21) today at noon PDT, with the winner of that game facing Arkansas and needing to beat the Hogs twice to win the regional.

Lake City High product Kyle Johnson went 0 for 2 with a run scored and Vucinich went 0 for 4 for the Cougars.