PHOENIX, Ariz. – UC Riverside (14-17, 4-5) hung close until late in its game at Grand Canyon (20-16, 10-2) on Wednesday, but a late scoring spurt by the Lopes led to a 6-1 Highlander defeat.

UCR got its sole run of the day from Dean Miller in the top of the ninth, scoring on a double to center field by Dylan Orick. Miller preceded Orick's RBI with a double of his own, as both players recorded a hit for the third straight game.

However, it was too little, too late for the Highlanders, who had given up four runs in the bottom of the eighth to go down 6-0. GCU finished with 12 hits to UCR's six, leaving one less runner on base than the visitors.

Orick finished the day with his first two-hit game of the season. The freshman now has four hits over his last three games after recording one hit over his first 10 appearances this year.

Anthony Lepre also finished with two hits, going 2-of-3 at the plate with one walk. Matt Hardy also tallied one hit on the day.

The Highlanders will return to Riverside this Fri-Sun to host San Jose State as they continue their current stretch of five consecutive non-conference games.