A week after losing three games at Arizona, the WSU baseball team got back on track this last weekend, winning two of three games over the visiting Oregon State Beavers.

The Cougars now stand at 21-15 overall and 5-7 in the Pac-10, while the Beavers fell to 21-13 and 4-8 respectively.

It was a huge series for both teams in terms of conference standings and possible postseason berths. It was the Cougars, however, that took full advantage and now have some momentum to help propel them through the remainder of the rugged Pac-10 gauntlet.

“It’s nice to win the series, we wanted the sweep, but tip your hats to Oregon State,” Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. “We just have to refocus and continue to win series.” On Friday night, the Cougars got a career performance from ace starting pitcher Chad Arnold en route to a 5-1 victory.

Arnold was brilliant, throwing a complete game and only allowing one run on five hits.

Arnold also struck out a career-high 11 batters, including the last two batters to close out the game.

It was the second-straight complete game for Arnold and the first time since Aaron MacKenzie in 2004 that a WSU pitcher has gone the distance in two straight games.

“I had a good slider tonight (Friday) and was able to get ahead in some counts,” Arnold said. “That is always a key to my success.” Second baseman Cody Bartlett began the weekend with two hits and one RBI, setting the tone for his tremendous offensive performance for the Cougars. Right-fielder Derek Jones also drove in a run as did center fielder Kyle Johnson.

However, Jones was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning, breaking his right hand. He is expected to miss two to four weeks.

The next afternoon, it was the Cougar bats that took center stage as the Cougars exploded for 12 runs and were able to limit the Beavers to four to earn the win.

Bartlett led the Cougar offense, going 3 for 4 with a triple, solo home run and three RBIs.

Freshman left fielder Brett Jacobs also drove in three runs, while Matt Fanelli added a solo home run and two RBIs.

However, it was Bartlett who stole the show and capped off an eight-run fourth inning with a two-out, two RBI triple.

For the series, Bartlett went 6 for 10 with 4 RBIs, two triples, a double and a home run.

“I have been seeing the ball well, got some good pitches and made some good swings,” Bartlett said. “I’m keeping my swing basic, keeping it simple and that is a key for me.” Starting pitcher David Stilley gave the Cougars a solid outing, going five innings and allowing three runs to pick up his second victory of the season. Tanner Robles took the loss for the Beavers, as the entire OSU pitching staff allowed 10 earned runs off of 12 hits.

As fast as the Cougar offense heated up on Saturday night, the Cougars were quickly slowed down by a strong OSU pitching performance in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss for the Cougars.

WSU got strong relief pitching from James Wise and Paris Shewey as the two combined for seven shutout innings in relief of starting pitcher Travis Cook, who went two-third of an inning and allowed two runs.

The Cougars posted seven hits but left 12 men on base, including two in the ninth on their way to their 15th loss on the season.

In the bottom of the ninth, trailing by two runs, the Cougars rallied to trail within one after Jacobs drove in Bartlett with a two-out double. However, pinch hitter Tommy Richards was struck out, and the Cougar rally ended as quickly as it began.

The Cougars now travel down to Eugene, Ore., next weekend to take on the University of Oregon Ducks for a three-game series.