FRESNO, Calif. – Six different Utah players had a hit and the Utes plated five runs in the seventh inning, but Fresno State scored nine in the opening frame as Utah fell short 14-8 on Sunday at Bob Bennett Stadium.
 
Matt Flaharty went 2-for-5 in the game with a two-run triple and scored twice himself. Cameron Gurney had a two-run single among a three-RBI day while Bradley Navarro, Luke Jacobs and Zakye Hawkins each doubled.
 
For the third straight game, Utah scored first. Jet Gilliam walked to lead off the game, later stealing second base and taking third on a throwing error. Two batters later, Gurney hit a grounder to third and Gilliam was able to score on another Bulldogs miscue. Daniel Arambula laid down a safety squeeze as the Utes looked for more, but Navarro was thrown out at the plate.
 
The Fresno State offense was hot out of the gate as the home club put up a nine-spot to take momentum early on. The Bulldogs would add a pair of runs in both the third and fifth innings.
 
The Utes were held without a hit until the top of the seventh when Flaharty poked a single through the right side. It was followed by back-to-back doubles from Jacobs and Hawkins as the Utes netted two runs in the inning.
 
A five-spot followed for Utah in the eighth as the game reached its final score of 14-8. The Utes reached the first five batters of the inning, beginning with an error and followed up with four straight hits. Gurney drove in a pair with his single into right field, then Flaharty ripped a triple down the right field line and into the corner where it pinballed around.
 
Flaharty came home two batters later when Jacobs lifted a sac fly.
 
Anson McGorman started the game on the mound for Utah as McGorman made his first collegiate appearance after missing the last three seasons due to injury.
 
Next Up
Utah and the Bulldogs will wrap up this four-game series on Monday with a 3 p.m. MT first pitch inside Bob Bennett Stadium.
 
Follow Utah Baseball
Keep up with the Utes by following @utahbaseball and by visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.