Box Score PEORIA, Ariz. - The Highlanders finished their opening weekend in Arizona, falling to the Washington State Cougars 8-5 on Sunday 

Jacob Badawi opened up the scoreline for the Highlanders, finding home on a wild pitch in the top of the second inning. 

Washington State answered back in short order in the bottom of the inning with five runs.

In the top of the fifth, a two RBI double from Dominic Martinez cut down the Cougars lead 5-3. Martinez scored on a wild pitch to bring the score to 5-4. 

Jayden Lopez singled through the left side in the top of the sixth, sending Badawi in to tie the game at 5-5. 

Three Cougar runs in the bottom of the sixth inning proved too much for the Highlanders to overcome in the final third of the game.

Mata hit an RBI single down center field in the top of the ninth hoping to ignite a late game rally, however it wasn't enough to take the game. Washington State won game two 8-6

The Highlanders head home to open the season at the Riverside Sports Complex on Friday, February 24th at 6:30 PM.