PULLMAN, Wash. – Jason Monda struck out a career-high seven in seven innings and Washington State defeated Utah 4-2 in Pac-12 Conference baseball, Saturday night.

Monda (2-5) gave up two runs on seven hits and did not walk a man to earn the victory. Sam Triece and Matt Bower combined to pitch the eighth and Ian Hamilton worked the ninth for a Washington State (21-24, 11-12 Pac-12) single-season record 13th save.

After the Utes (15-29, 4-19 Pac-12) scored in the top of the first, the Cougars picked up an unearned run in each of the first two innings against Zach Adams (0-5) to take a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth, Nick Tanielu collected a two-out double and scored on a single by Ben Roberts to increase the Washington State lead to 3-1.

The Utes picked up a run in the seventh and had the tying run at third when Monda retired A.J. Young on a foul out to end the inning and his night.

Michael Monda led off the home half of the seventh with a pinch hit single, stole second and third, and scored on a single by Tanielu for an insurance run.

The deciding game of the series is scheduled for Sunday at noon.