Cougars win twice, play Arkansas today for trip to Super Regionals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - James Wise pitched three effective innings in his second start of the day, and Washington State backed its tired pitching staff with enough offense for a 10-7 win over Arkansas on Sunday night to force a decisive game in the Fayetteville Regional.

Wise also started the Cougars' 9-6 win over Kansas State earlier in the day, but was knocked out after only 76 pitches and 2 2/3 innings. Washington State (37-21) sent him to the mound again in another must-win game. He allowed only two hits and left with a 2-1 lead. Although he didn't pitch five innings, Wise (4-1) was given the win at the official scorer's discretion.

"If that can't inspire your team, you can't be inspired," Washington State coach Donnie Marbut said. "There's two things you can't teach: You can't teach attitude, and you can't coach effort. And I don't have to."

The Cougars scored five runs in the fifth to make it 7-1.

The Razorbacks (42-19) and Cougars will play again for the regional title tonight (5 p.m. PDT, ESPN 700).

In the first game, former Coeur d'Alene High standout Shea Vucinich went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored for WSU. In the second game, Vucinich doubled in two runs, and Lake City High product Kyle Johnson drove in a run with a bunt single.