SMU, Washington State Clash for Title in Palm Springs Tourney

Palm Springs, Calif. – The SMU Mustangs and Washington State Cougars will face off in the championship game of the Palm Springs Tournament on Tuesday, March 7 at the Cactus League Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Mustangs Storming Through Tournament

The Mustangs have been dominant in the tournament, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 26-8 in three games. Sophomore infielder Luke Gorsett has led the way for SMU, hitting .455 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

“Our team is playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said SMU head coach Tim Black. “We’re getting good pitching and timely hitting, and our defense has been solid. We’re excited about the opportunity to play for a championship.”

Cougs Aiming for Tournament Title

The Cougars have also been impressive in the tournament, going 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA. Senior pitcher Brandon White has been dominant on the mound, striking out 15 batters in two starts.

“Our guys are ready to play,” said Washington State head coach Brian Green. “We’ve played well all weekend, and we’re confident that we can win the championship.”

Pitching Matchup

The championship game will feature a matchup of two of the top pitchers in the tournament. SMU will start junior right-hander Preston French, who is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in the tournament. Washington State will counter with junior left-hander Cam Pinto, who is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA.

Prediction

The championship game is expected to be a close one. Both teams have been playing well, and both have talented pitchers on the mound. SMU has the edge in experience, having won the Palm Springs Tournament in 2020, but Washington State is hungry for its first title.

The outcome of the game could hinge on which team can get to the other team’s bullpen first. Both SMU and Washington State have strong starting pitchers, but their bullpens have been shaky at times. If either team can get to the other team’s bullpen early, it could have a major impact on the outcome of the game.