Dixie State could not overcome a pair of big Washington State innings as the Trailblazers lost the final game of their 2021 season and Division I debut series to the Cougars, 10-3, on Sunday afternoon at Bruce Hurst Field.

As was the case in the previous two games of the set, WSU (7-1) put up a crooked number early in the game, this time it was seven-run second inning that vaulted the Cougars into the lead.

Washington State loaded the bases on a pair of hit batters and a walk to lead off the frame, then collected three hits, two of which left the yard. Kyle Manzaro delivered the big blow, an opposite field three-run shot, while Collin Montez blasted a solo shot to right field two batters later.

DSU (0-4) got two of those runs back in the home second thanks to a pair of two out RBI-singles from Jake Schulz and Tyler Hollow.

The Trailblazers bullpen took over from there as three relievers combined to hold the powerful Cougar lineup to just two hits over the next six innings. Meanwhile the DSU infield make several stellar defensive plays behind the Blazer hurlers to keep Washington State at bay.

Dixie State's offense had its chances to claw closer, loading the bases in the sixth, but the Blazers only managed to push across one run to cut the deficit to 7-3. DSU also had base runners on in both the seventh and eighth frames, but was held off the scoreboard.

Washington State would salt away the victory, and the series sweep, with a three-run ninth inning.

DSU pounded out a series high eight hits in the finale, with Hollow collecting three of those safeties from the lead-off spot, while Tanner Harper went 2-for-5. 

Dixie State opens the road portion of its 2021 schedule next weekend with a three-game set at perennial national power Wichita State on March 5-7.