Salt Lake City – Joe Pistorese worked seven innings and Washington State scattered seven hits but the effort was not enough as the Cougars were bested 4-1 by Utah at Smith's Ballpark Saturday afternoon.

Utah (14-24, 6-11 Pac-12) jumped out early scoring one run in each of the second and third innings. In the second, following a leadoff-walk and bunt single, Cole Taylor came around to score from second as the Utes capitalized on a throwing error by Pistorese. The Utes added to their lead the next inning as Wyler Smith knocked in Dallas Carroll from first with a RBI double to left.

Washington State (22-19, 6-11 Pac-12) got on the board in the sixth using a pair of extra base hits and a groundout. With one out, Jack Strunc doubled, before advancing to third on a groundout by Derek Chapman. With two outs, Cooper Elliott laced an RBI triple to center, easily scoring Strunc from third and cutting the deficit in half.

Despite threatening late, the one run is all WSU managed as Utah's Dalton Carroll (5-5) struck out eight over eight innings, allowing six hits.

The Utes found insurance late tacking on two in the seventh. Josh Rose scored the first run on an RBI fielder's choice after a leadoff double and being moved over to third on a misplayed sacrifice bunt by Pistorese. The fourth and final run came off the bat of Taylor, who plated Cody Scaggari from second with a single to left.

Pistorese (6-4) suffered the loss going seven innings, allowing four runs, two of which were earned, and striking out two. Colby Nealy and Layne Bruner both made quick appearances after the departure of Pistorese, Nealy going 1/3 of an inning striking out one, while Bruner worked a perfect 2/3 of an inning, also striking out one.

Washington State looks to win its third-straight Pac-12 Conference series Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. PT. Jayson Rose (3-3, 3.88 ERA) will get the nod for Utah, while the Cougars' starter will be Sam Triece (2-0, 3.60 ERA).

--wsucougars.com--