Washington State rallies to eliminate Kansas State 9-6 in NCAA Fayetteville Regional

Washington State eliminates Kansas State 9-6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Derek Jones hit a three-run homer to cap a six-run sixth inning for Washington State, and the Cougars rallied to beat Kansas State 9-6 in an elimination game Sunday at the Fayetteville Regional.

The Cougars (36-21) advance to play Arkansas on Sunday night, needing two wins over the Razorbacks to win the regional.

Washington State trailed 6-1 before starting its comeback with two runs in the fifth. Garry Kuykendall eventually tied it at 6 with a two-run double in the sixth. Kuykendall was tagged out on the play when he tried for third, not realizing the baserunner ahead of him had stopped there, but Cody Bartlett followed with a walk, and Jones’ 12th homer of the season made it 9-6.

Richie Ochoa (2-2) pitched 4 1-3 scoreless innings of relief for the Cougars.