PHOENIX - Sophomore third baseman Spencer Gaa hit his first career home run, drove in a career-high five and started three of Bradley's school-record five double plays, leading the Braves (1-0) to a 6-1 victory against Omaha Friday afternoon in the first game of the GCU Classic at Brazell Stadium.

A 2014 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and 2015 preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, Gaa's previous career-best was three runs batted in, but he surpassed that total with his 3-run home run to center field in the sixth inning, a first-pitch blast that pushed Bradley's lead to 5-1.

After second baseman Chris Godinez opened the scoring with a solo home run to open the third, Gaa was responsible for the rest of Bradley's run production, providing the deciding run on a fourth-inning sacrifice fly to the base of the center field wall and tacking on a RBI double in the eighth. His fourth-inning sac fly nearly scored two runs as center fielder Isaac Smith tried to score from second base on the deep blast that did bring home Godinez from third before Smith was thrown out at the plate.

A junior right-hander, Elliot Ashbeck (1-0) earned the win by allowing one run on four singles and two walks in 5.2 innings. After the Mavericks scored their lone run in the sixth on a single, stolen base and consecutive ground outs, junior left-hander Cameron Roegner relieved and got the game's final 10 outs for his second career save by scattering three singles, walking one and striking out four.

Omaha put its leadoff hitter on base seven times, but the Braves turned double plays in the second, third, fifth, seventh and ninth innings to hold the Mavericks (0-1) in check. Gaa started the inning-ending double plays in the third, fifth and ninth innings, the last with a diving stop to his left and a throw to second base from his knees, while Godinez turned all of the final four double plays.

Bradley outhit the Summit League preseason favorite, 10-7, and the Braves swiped three bases.

In addition to Gaa, Godinez was 2-for-3 with his home run, a stolen base and three runs scored. Shortstop Tyler Leffler, another preseason All-MVC selection, ended the 2014 season with an 8-game hitting streak and extended the streak by legging out a pair of infield singles. Freshman designated hitter Ian Kristan also reached base twice in four plate appearances, including his first career hit in the seventh.

Bradley will continue its participation in the GCU Classic by facing another Summit League team, North Dakota State, in a 2 p.m. (CST) game Saturday at Brazell Stadium. The Braves will take on event host Grand Canyon at 11 a.m. Sunday.