OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University jumped ahead early but Grand Canyon University got a pair of two-run home runs en route to a 9-4 win in the series opener at UCCU Ballpark on Friday night. 
 
The Wolverines (5-20, 2-2 WAC) led 3-2 in the sixth before Tyler Wyatt gave the Lopes (13-12, 2-2 WAC) the lead with a two-run homer to left. Preston Pavlica hit a two-run home run in the eighth as Grand Canyon scored eight consecutive runs in the contest.  
 
UVU jumped ahead in the first, scoring two runs against Grand Canyon starter Kade Mechals. Kody Hall and Ryan Eastburn both singled before an RBI double from Alexander Marco into right-center. Drew Sims drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly, scoring Eastburn. 
 
Leading 2-1 after the Lopes got a sac-fly in the second, Michael Beltran doubled and later scored when Marco singled back thru the middle to drive him in. 
 
In the fifth, Pavlica walked to lead off the inning and then scored when Marc Mumper doubled to right-center to make the score 3-2. The two-time defending WAC champion Antelopes then took the lead in the sixth on Wyatt's homer, a line shot over the wall in left. 
 
Pavlica gave the Lopes insurance in the eighth with his home run to left that also scored Kona Quiggle. Mumper followed with a triple and then scored on a passed ball to give Grand Canyon a 7-3 lead. GCU added two more in the top of the ninth on base hits by Quiggle and the WAC Preseason Player of the Year Quin Cotton. 
 
Seven of Grand Canyon's 15 hits went for extra bases with Quiggle finishing 4-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Six Lopes had multi-hit games with Cotton finishing with three hits on the night. 
 
The Wolverines had five players with two-hit games. Jake Plecas was one of the five with two hits after he doubled and scored on an RBI base hit by Kody Hall, who also had two hits. 
 
Mechals improved to 6-1 after lasting six innings and striking out three on eight hits while allowing three runs. Cole Hoskins pitched the final three innings to pick up the save, his second of the season. Jake Carr pitched well for Utah Valley, lasting six innings with a trio of strikeouts but took the loss. 
 
The Wolverines and Lopes will continue the series on Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee. Following Saturday's ballgame, the two will close the weekend WAC series on Sunday at noon.