PHOENIX – Despite some early fireworks, San Diego State was unable to match the power of host Grand Canyon in a 9-3 loss on Friday in the opener of a three-game Mountain West series at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.

The teams combined for six home runs, including four by the Lopes (9-18, 1-3 MW), who snapped a five-game losing streak and emerged victorious in their inaugural MW home game.

The Aztecs (13-14, 2-2 MW) received two hits apiece from Tyce Peterson, Jake Jackson and Max Farrell, but it wasn’t enough, as GCU scored at least one run in each of the first five innings to build an 8-3 advantage it would not relinquish.

In addition, SDSU fell victim to some clutch hitting by the Lopes, who batted .556 (10-18) with five RBIs in two-out situations.

The Aztecs wielded the big bat in the top of the first, as Peterson smacked his fourth homer of the year, a two-run bomb to left on a 0-1 pitch from GCU starter JT Guerrero, after Zach Justice drew a one-out walk.

However, the Lopes answered with Billy Scaldeferri’s deep shot over the center-field fence to lead off their half of the frame, while Cameron Griffin followed with a two-out solo blast in the second to even the score at 2-2.

GCU used the long ball to take the lead for good in the third, as Jose Lopez went yard with a two-run blast following Trevor Schmidt’s one-out single up the middle. After a flyout, Camden Bates connected for his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left on an 0-1 offering from SDSU starter Rohan Lettow, providing the host school a 5-2 lead.

The Lopes gave themselves some separation after loading the bases with two outs in the fourth. Jake Sanko and Cannon Peery reached on consecutive singles, while Trevor Schmidt drew an eight-pitch walk, as Carson Johnson was summoned from the bullpen to replace Lettow. Moments later, Lopez knocked in Sanko and Peery with a base hit to center, extending GCU’s advantage to 7-2.

The Aztecs ended their scoring drought in the fifth when Jackson went the opposite way for his fourth homer of the year, crushing a 1-0 pitch from Guerrero over the fence in right.

However, the Lopes reclaimed a five-run cushion in their half of the inning on three consecutive two-out singles by Scaldeferri, Mito Perez and Sanko. Perez’s hit was mishandled in center, allowing Scaldeferri to advance to third before racing home on Sanko’s grounder through the right side.

GCU closed out the scoring in the seventh when Bates hit a leadoff single, stole second and advanced on a groundout before crossing the plate on Scaldeferri’s sacrifice fly to center.

Guerrero (2-3) allowed three runs in seven innings to pick up the victory, easing the sting of eight hits and a walk with three strikeouts, while Tommy McGuire fanned three batters of his own over two spotless frames when he gave up just one hit, a leadoff single to Farrell in the ninth. Two batters later, however, McGuire induced a double play grounder to end the game.

On the flip side, Lettow (3-1) absorbed his first loss of the year after surrendering seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings.

Lopez (2-for-4) led all players with four RBIs, while Scaldeferri, Perez and Sanko tied for game-high honors with three hits apiece, batting a combined .643 (9-14) at the top of the Lopes’ order.

San Diego State continues its weekend series at Grand Canyon on Saturday, March 28, starting at 2 p.m. PDT. The Aztecs are scheduled to pitch Drew Talavs (2-2), while the Lopes are expected to counter with Garrett Ahern (1-3).