PHOENIX, Ariz. – Grand Canyon University scored early and often en route to a 15-3 victory over Utah Valley University in the series finale at Stepleton-Pierson Stadium in Phoenix on Saturday night.
 
The Antelopes swept the Western Athletic Conference weekend series with the win to improve to 28-19 overall and 9-3 in league play, while UVU dropped to 16-32 on the season and 3-9 in WAC play with the setback.
 
After the Wolverines scored a run in the top of the first inning thanks to a solo home run from freshman slugger Jaylen Watson, GCU answered by putting a 12 spot on the board in the last of the frame to take an early 12-1 advantage. The Lopes then tacked on three more runs in the second to extend their lead to 15-1.
 
UVU pushed across a run in the third -- on an RBI single off the wall from senior Erin Romero -- and another in the fifth -- via another solo round tripper from Watson -- to make it a 15-3 ballgame.
 
Despite the loss, Watson went 2-for-3 for UVU with two RBIs and two runs scored with the two-home run performance while fellow freshman Taleigh Williams too finished with a two-hit night for the Wolverines. With two more homers, Watson now leads Utah Valley with 10 long balls on the season. The 10 home runs is a new single-season UVU record for a freshman. 
 
Camree Wartman led the Lopes with two hits and five RBIs, as she hit her second grand slam of the series in the first inning.
 
Taylor Nowlin (13-6) came on in relief for GCU to earn the win in the circle, while UVU starter Kelsey Lawton (0-2) suffered the loss for UVU.
 
In all, four pitchers took the circle in the contest for the Wolverines and junior Kailey Christensen was the lone pitcher not to allow a run, as she threw three innings of no-hit relief.
 
UVU will next step out of conference play to take on Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho, for a midweek contest on Tuesday, April 21.

"We are looking forward to a fresh start in seeing ISU," said head coach Nikki Palmer. "They are always a good team and we look forward to a strong competition."

Following Tuesday's contest at ISU, the Wolverines will return home for their final home series of the season next weekend. Utah Valley will close out WAC play against Missouri-Kansas City in a three-game set on April 24-25 at Wolverine Field.