by Brad Wall
PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State Cougars rallied late to send the game into extra innings, but fell in the tenth to Pac-12 opponent Utah Saturday afternoon 4-3.
The Cougars gave up a run in the second when Travis Still hit a solo home run off of starting pitcher Joe Pistorese to give the Utes a 1-0 lead.
Taylor Ard then put WSU ahead when he hit a two-run homer in the fourth scoring himself and Jason Monda.
Utah's James Brooks drove in teammates Tyler Relf and Josh Alexander on a two-out double, taking the lead back for Utah 3-2.
WSU rallied in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game when Tommy Richards scored on a wild pitch. The Cougs looked to close out the game and steal the win, loading the bases with one out, but Ian Sagdal grounded into a double play to send the game into extra innings.
Brooks continued to do damage for Utah, belting a solo shot off reliever Anthony Drobnick in the tenth that ended up being the game-winner, his third RBI of the game.
Pistorese threw for four innings allowing one run on three hits. The Cougars used four other pitchers in the game, three of the four each allowed a run.
Utah starter Brock Duke pitched seven innings allowing two runs on three hits and striking out six. Reliever Tyler Wagner got the win throwing for three innings and allowing one run on two hits.
The rubber match of the series will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m.
