The WSU Men’s Baseball team was split in two over the weekend as they played the first two games of the Fall World Series at Eck Stadium. The Black Squad beat the Gold Squad in both games to win the series.

Black Squad Catcher Tyler Baker said the games are a nice change of pace for the team, even if it’s just for bragging rights.

“We don’t get to play anybody else, so it’s kind of tough to go out there and scrimmage,” said Baker. “But it’s nice to actually have something at stake and to have people here watching.”

The Black squad took the first game of the series Thursday afternoon with a 7-1 victory.

Redshirt juniors Bob Arens and Chase Simpson each got two RBI in the game.

Arens hit a double down the infield line early in the second inning that allowed Erik Harbutz to score, giving the Black squad their first point of the game.

Simpson went 1-for-4 with two RBI on a double into right field that brought home Cody Bobbit and Michael Burns in the fifth.

Reagan Biechler got the win in the game, pitching four shutout innings with six strikeouts after relieving starting pitcher A.J. Ludwig.

Gold’s Drew Palmer was given the loss, allowing three runs in one inning pitched.

The second game of the series was set to take place the next day, but was canceled due to weather.

Because of the cancellation, the series was shortened from the original plan of five games down to three. Tami Cutler, Assistant Director of Media Relations for Baseball, said the organization couldn’t find a time to fit an extra game into the schedule.

With the shortened series, it was do-or-die for the Gold squad Sunday afternoon as they hoped to keep their chances of winning alive. With an 8-4 loss to the Black squad, those hopes were diminished.

The Gold squad were the first to put points on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first as Garrett Bayliff hit a single to bring home Wes Phillips from third.

The Black squad retaliated in their next at bat, scoring three runs.

Center fielder Mikel Mucha went 2-for-3 in the game with 2 RBI. The first came off a sacrifice to center field in the top of the third that allowed Burns to score. The next was in the fifth on a ground-rule double that brought home Bobbit.

Black pitcher Kris Gardner earned the win, allowing two runs and five hits. Sam Tewes of the Gold squad received the loss after allowing three runs off of four hits.

Baker said the freshman pitchers all did well during the games.

Freshman pitcher Cody Tyler said it felt good to play in a game-like atmosphere with the team backing him up.

“As a pitcher it’s good to know you have guys behind you,” he said.

Tyler threw 3.1 innings for the Black squad Sunday, allowing three hits and no runs.

Tyler said the Shockers will be tough to beat in the upcoming season and Baker agreed.

“The whole starting lineup is coming back,” Baker said. “We lost a couple of our bullpen guys but we’ve got some new guys who are really good. I’ve got a good feeling about it.”

The final game will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. as the Black squad attempts to sweep the Gold.