April 19, 2013

BERKELEY, Calif. - California defeated Washington State 4-2 in the opener of a three-game Pac-12 Conference baseball series at Evans Diamond, Friday night.

The win was the sixth-straight at home for the Golden Bears (17-20, 6-10 Pac-12) over the Cougars (18-17, 5-8 Pac-12) dating back to 2009.

California scored a pair of unearned runs in the third against Washington State starter Joe Pistorese (4-3) and Devon Rodriguez added a two-run home run in the sixth for a 4-0 lead.

The Cougars' first run came in the seventh when Brett Jacobs singled to score Trace Tam Sing bounced into a 1-2-3 double play and Austin Pernell flied out to end the frame.

In the ninth, Jones opened with a single, moved to second on a ground out by Jason Monda flied out, Justin Jones came on to retire pinch hitter Ian Sagdal on a fly ball to end the game and notch his first save.

The series continues, Saturday at 6 p.m.