Cougars expect challenge from Wildcats during weekend series

Washington State can look at its upcoming series with Arizona one of two ways: Wide-eyed as one of the most talented, offensively threatening teams in the country visits Pullman during the Cougars' four-game losing skid, or excited about the opportunity to prove their worth against the best opponent they've seen this year.

Of course, they're choosing the latter.

"This is a great weekend to bounce back as a team and show what we're made of," Cougar sophomore Justin Harrer said ahead of a three-game Pac-12 Conference series with Arizona, beginning at 5 p.m. tonight at Bailey-Brayton Field.

"It's Mom's Weekend so we'll have some moms coming and I think we're going to play well as team. When our moms come around we have to show them our best. I think it's going to be great."

It's unlikely anyone would blame the Cougars if they chose to adopt that wide-eyed approach in this meeting with Arizona (21-7, 5-4), which is anywhere from a top-8 to top-12 team in the nation, depending on the poll. Last season's College World Series runner-up has won five straight and just swept USC before defeating Arizona State on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, WSU (14-12, 1-5) seems far removed from its seven-game win streak during nonconference play, having dropped four straight on a frustrating road trip to California last weekend. The Cougars were swept by the Golden Bears, then allowed 17 hits in a 14-8 loss at Pacific on Monday.

"Disappointing weekend as a whole," WSU coach Marty Lees said. "I think our players are just as disappointed."

If there were any positives to gather from that weekend, Harrer was one of them. The outfielder was 8-for-12 during the road trip with nine RBI and two home runs, one of which was a grand slam against Pacific.

The key? Besides taking advantage of pitches up in the strike zone, the Sisters, Ore. native was aided by "a little warmer weather" in the Golden State.

"I got down to California, in the sun, and just saw the ball well," Harrer said.

Maybe that explains why the Wildcats have been so dominant. They're 17-0 at home this year, and lead the conference in just about every offensive category, with a .328 batting average that ranks fourth in the country (realistically, that's probably due to the talent, not the weather). Alfonso Rivas is batting .400 and has an on-base percentage of .530, numbers that rank second and first in the conference, respectively. The Wildcats have four other players hitting .340 or better.

"I know they're a big powerhouse hitting-wise, and I'm just preparing for that," said Ryan Walker, the only WSU pitcher to maintain a firm grip on his starting spot. "You can't make too many mistakes against them because they'll really take advantage of those. Keeping the ball down is going to be a really big key."

Damon Jones (2-2, 5.94 ERA) is expected to start tonight, as is Cody Anderson (3-2, 2.37 ERA) on Sunday, though Lees said during the week that "the rotation is unclear at this point," aside from Walker's usual Saturday afternoon start.

Opposite tonight's Cougar starter will be JC Cloney, a senior lefty who is 6-0 in seven starts with a 1.75 ERA and 34 strikeouts.

Basically, Arizona presents a stiff challenge for the Cougars in just about every way - and Walker is just fine with that.

"That's one thing I miss about relieving: I love pressure, so when big teams come in, that's when the pressure comes," Walker said. "I feel like that's when my better performances come out. I'm always willing to take a challenge."

Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4627, by email to mdugar@dnews.com or on Twitter to @MikeDugar.