PULLMAN, Wash. – Kai Roberts went opposite field for a home run in the first inning, but that was all the Utah offense could muster in the Pac-12 season opener on Friday, falling 7-1 at Washington State.

Five different Utes registered a hit in the game and TJ Clarkson walked twice, bringing his career total to 105 free passes—third-most in recorded program history.

Roberts—the second batter of the game—took the 1-1 pitch over the left-center field wall, giving Roberts his second long ball of the season.

The Utes' lead remained until the home half of the third when WSU leveled the score at one. A leadoff double followed up by a sac bunt and RBI groundout brought in Nate Swarts. The Cougars pulled in front with a run in the fourth inning and added a three-spot in the fifth.

Washington State continued its hot bats, adding a pair of runs and extending the lead to six runs in the sixth inning before keeping the Utah offense at bay for the rest of the game and taking the series opener.

Merit Jones (0-1) received the loss for Utah.
 

Next Up

Utah and Washington State will play the middle contest of the three-game on Saturday, with first pitch coming at 3:05 p.m. MT at Bailey-Brayton Field.

Please note, Sunday's series finale was moved up to a 1:05 p.m. MT start. Previously the game was scheduled for 2:05 p.m. MT; it was moved up an hour earlier to accommodate Utah's return travel itinerary.

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