The Fresno State baseball team opened up its season with a series loss to the University of Utah Utes at Bob Bennett Stadium.

The Diamond ‘Dogs and the Utes were scheduled to play a four-game series, but the fourth and final game was canceled due to inclement weather.

The Utes came out hot in the season opener on Friday night, forcing an early exit from starting pitcher Drew Townson.

By the bottom of the third inning, the Diamond ‘Dogs were down 5-1.

The Bulldogs struggled defensively as five different ‘Dogs committed an error en route to an 8-3 loss in the season opener.

In the second game, the Utes got the scoring started with a four-run two-out rally in the top of the second inning. Utah was able to add one more run in the top of the sixth.

The Bulldogs’ four runs weren’t enough as the Utes held on for a 5-4 victory.

Starting pitcher Tyler Patrick was credited with the loss — the first of his collegiate career — as he allowed four runs on seven hits through 4.2 innings.

In the third matchup, one of the Bulldogs’ preseason All-Mountain West selections from last year, Victor Arreola, got the start and allowed just one run and no hits through four innings.

Similar to the Bulldogs’ offensive output from last season, the Diamond ‘Dogs erupted in the bottom of the first inning.

The ‘Dogs put up nine runs, chasing Utah’s starting pitcher out of the inning.

Freshman shortstop Brady Hewitt hit his first career home run and the Bulldogs’ first home run of the season, in the bottom of the fifth inning.

In the middle of a five-run eighth inning for the Utes, reliever Doug Crystal came in and closed out the final six outs for the ‘Dogs, earning the first win of the season.

Despite three errors, the ‘Dogs closed out a 14-8 win.

On Feb. 16, the final game of the series was canceled due to inclement weather.

Through three games, the Bulldogs’ leading hitter is none other than the team’s lone preseason All-Mountain West selection, first baseman Griffen Sotomayor.

Sotomayor has a .385 batting average and hit two doubles in the opening series.

Hewitt was able to make the most of his three starts at shortstop, hitting .364 with one triple and the team’s lone home run.

The Diamond ‘Dogs will be back at home on Feb. 20 to start a four-game series with the Pepperdine University Waves. First pitch for game one is set for 6:05 p.m.