PHOENIX – Behind a four-run fifth inning, Grand Canyon University topped Utah Valley University, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game WAC series on Friday at GCU Ballpark.
Jake Berry had three hits for the Wolverines (12-16, 4-3) while
Trevor Howell,
Jackson Overlund and
Michael Beltran had two hits apiece. UVU out-hit the Lopes 11-8 but left eight runners on base in the contest.
Jake Mayer (1-4) went the distance for Utah Valley, striking out five while allowing four earned runs (five tota) on eight hits. His five strikeouts established a new career high of 56 for the senior right-hander, besting his mark of 53 from last year.
GCU (15-14, 6-1) starter Jake Wong (5-1) pitched eight innings and struck out seven, surrendering two runs on 10 hits. Mick Vorhof pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his third save.
The game was scoreless until the third, when an error allowed Griffin Barnes to score for Grand Canyon.
The Lopes then added four runs in the fifth after loading the bases with nobody out on an infield single, a walk, and a bunt single.
Jake Mayer got a grounder to first to erase the lead runner before a pop out for out number two. But Grand Canyon rallied, getting a bases-loaded walk, a two-run single and a misplayed pop-up on the infield that scored another run, putting UVU in a 5-0 hole.
The Wolverines got two runs back in the sixth, also loaded the bases with no outs. Beltran and Howell had back-to-back singles and Modler walked.
Trevor Peterson drove in the first run on a groundout and, two batters later, Berry drove in the second run on an infield single to third.
Peterson and
Jackson Overlund led off the eighth with consecutive base hits, bringing the potential tying run to the plate, but both were stranded in scoring position to end the inning.
Ian Evans and Zach Malis had two hits apiece for Grand Canyon with Evans adding two RBIs.
The series continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT with
Walker Ramsey slated to start for Utah Valley with Grand Canyon aiming for its 12th consecutive WAC series win.
