Phoenix ? Michael Tinsley and Blair Beck homered, and Kansas University’s baseball team defeated Grand Canyon, 9-5, on Wednesday.

Tinsley hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and Beck hit a solo shot in the third.

Dakota Smith belted a bases-loaded double in the fourth to give KU a 9-1 lead.

“It was a huge day for us,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “After our performance yesterday, we needed to find a way to win, whether it was a low-scoring game or a high-scoring game. To quote coach (Bill) Self, we found a way to win an ugly one.”

Sam Gilbert (1-1) pitched two innings of scoreless relief to record the victory. Stephen Villines worked the final three innings for his third save.

“We turned four double plays, which were the difference in the ballgame,” Price said. “It got us out of trouble without them scoring and held them at bay after we had the 9-1 lead.

“I thought we had better at-bats today,” Price said. “It was one of those days where it is hard to hit because they made so many pitching changes. We had some good, clutch two-out RBIs, and most importantly, we needed to put runs on the board to have a chance.”

The Jayhawks (5-8) will host Utah in a three-game series beginning at 3 p.m. Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Kansas 231 300 000 — 9 12 4

Grand Canyon 010 300 001 — 5 9 2

W — Sam Gilbert (1-1). L — Josh Walker (0-1). S — Stephen Villines (3).

2B — Joven Afenir, Dakota Smith, KU. HR — Michael Tinsley, Blair Beck, KU.

KU highlights — Justin Protacio 3-for-5, RBI; Afenis 2-for-5, RBI; Connor McKay 2-for-5; Steve Goldstein 2-for-5, RBI; Smith 3 RBIs; Tinsley 2 RBIs.