University of Utah capitalized on three hit batters in a four-run seventh inning and held on late with the tying run at the plate for Sacramento State in a 6-4 win over the Hornets Friday at John Smith Field in the 2015 season opener for both teams.

Sac State led 2-0 and 3-2 in the game, but the Utes rallied with two runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh. Down 6-3, the Hornets pushed across one run in the bottom of the ninth and had the potential tying run at the plate, but could not complete the comeback.

“I was impressed with how we competed the first time out,” said coach Reggie Christiansen. “Especially our freshmen. We had four of them out there. As a team we gave ourselves the chance to win.”

Utah starter Bret Helton allowed three runs over seven innings for the win before Dylan Drachler threw 2 2/3 innings of relief.

With the tying run at the plate, Dalton Carroll was called upon to get the last out. After a balk forced in one run, Carroll was able to get Hornet sophomore Brandon Hunley to ground out to third to end the game.

For the Hornets, senior Brennan Leitao went five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Leitao allowed just two runs and seven hits over six innings pitched.

After Utah jumped ahead, Sac State got scoreless relief from sophomore Chad Perry and freshmen Ryan Smith and Austin Root to keep the team within striking distance.

Senior Scotty Burcham, junior Nathan Lukes and freshman Bronson Grubbs each had two hits in the contest, with Grubbs driving in Burcham twice. Eight of the nine Hornet starters had a hit in the game and all nine reached base as the Hornets outhit Utah 11-9 but left nine runners on base. All four runs the Hornets scored came with two outs.

Sac State took the lead in the third inning when Lukes drove in freshman Devin Lehman with a two-out single. The lead doubled in the fourth inning when Grubbs hit a sharp single to left to bring home Burcham.

Utah scored two runs in the top of the sixth after three straight singles given up by Leitao before reliever Grant Kukuk got a double play and a groundout to limit the damage.

A Burcham triple in the bottom of the inning set up Grubbs again for a two-out RBI single to put the Hornets back on top.

Three hit batters and two hits, with the big blow being a two-run double by second baseman Kody Davis, fueled Utah’s four-run sixth inning. Sac State got the tying run to the plate in the eighth but stranded two runners. The Hornets scored one run on the Carroll balk in the ninth before he closed the game out.

Davis had two RBIs and two runs scored from the leadoff spot, while Utah third baseman Dallas Carroll went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

The Hornets’ series against Utah will continue at 1 p.m. Saturday at John Smith Field.