TUCSON, Ariz. - Jack Lafflam tossed 4.0 innings and allowed just two runs to earn the first win of his career, and the University of Arizona baseball team rode an early 5-0 lead to collect a 5-4 victory over Grand Canyon on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats (9-15, 2-4) recorded nine hits and seven walks, while the Antelopes (8-18, 0-3) had 10 hits in the game.

Lafflam was rewarded with the win after allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out two, while Cody Kiemele was charged with the loss for GCU.

Tony Lira, Caleb Danzeisen, and Mathis Meurant each had standout performances for Arizona. Lira went 2-4 with a solo shot, his fifth of the season, and he also walked to reach base three times. Meurant posted a career-high three hits, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

Additionally, Andrew Cain went 1-3 with a double and a walk and scored a run, and Roman Meyers went 1-3 with three RBI. 

Corey Kling had an outstanding relief performance, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits, while striking out three. Garrett Hicks earned his second save of the season, tossing the final inning and allowing just one hit.

The Wildcats had an exceptional start to the game, as Tony Lira blasted a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the first, giving Arizona an early 1-0 lead. It was the second consecutive game that Lira homered and it marked his fifth home run of the season.

Lafflam retired the side in the top of the second, and Cain opened the bottom half of the frame with a double down the right field line. After Cain advanced to third on a wild pitch, Meyers grounded out; however, Cain was able to score on the play. After a pop out, Carson McEntire roped a double to center field and advanced to third on an error by GCU. Meurant then delivered an RBI single to put Arizona ahead 3-0. 

Lafflam retired the side once again in the top of the third. Danzeisen led off with a walk in the bottom of the inning, and after a strikeout, Maddox Mihalakis drew a walk of his own. Cain then walked to load the bases with one out. Meyers stepped up and came through by lacing a single through the left side to plate two runs and extend Arizona's lead to 5-0. 

Grand Canyon got two runs back with a home run in the fourth inning, and they tacked on two more in the eighth on another two-run shot. 

Hicks entered the game in the ninth and shut the door on GCU's hopes at a comeback, retiring three of four batters he faced to secure the 5-4 victory for Arizona.

The Wildcats will hit the road for a three-game series at UCF this weekend with the series opener on Friday set for 3 p.m. (MST).