OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University fell in the opener of a three-game WAC series, 4-2, to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Thursday night at UCCU Ballpark.

Anthony Gomez finished 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Vaqueros (16-10, 3-1) while Pacen Hayes accounted for both Wolverine (9-14, 2-2) runs courtesy of his fourth home run of the season.

Defensively, UTRGV turned five double plays including a key one with the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth.

Utah Valley starter Jake Mayer matched his career-best with 10 strikeouts and now has 51 so far this season, just two shy of his career-high for strikeouts in a season.

"Jake did a good job. I'm sure he'd want that first inning back but he pitched well and kept us in the game," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "They're (UTRGV) a good team. They made pitches when they needed to, and their defense made plays."

The Vaqueros took a quick 2-0 lead after Elijah Alexander was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the first and Austin Siener hit a two-run home run to center.

The Wolverines took advantage of a hit batter in the second when Drew Sims reached before Hayes' home run knotted it at 2-2.

UTRGV took the lead with a run in the fifth. Aided by a one-out error that allowed Tyler Torres to reach second, the Vaqueros got an RBI single from Gomez to take a 3-2 advantage. Gomez hit his solo home run with one out in the seventh to for an insurance run that made it 4-2.

Ryan Eastburn doubled to right to begin the ninth but was doubled off second when pinch-hitter Jake Berry lined a ball that seemed destined to be a hit but was snagged by Torres at third.

Mayer tossed his sixth quality start in seven appearances to begin the season but took the loss to drop to 1-3. He struck out the side in the first and fourth, stranding a pair of runners in both innings. Chase Adams (4-1) got the win for UTRGV while Ryan Jackson notched a two-inning save for his sixth of the season.

The series continues on Friday with another 6 p.m. MT first pitch. Walker Ramsey is slated to get the start on the mound for Utah Valley.