FRESNO, Calif. – No. 24 Fresno Pacific (22-10, 16-9 GSAC) took down a top-ten team in No. 6 Azusa Pacific (26-8, 16-7 GSAC), upsetting them 2-1. Kelyn Shellenberg finished the game as the only Sunbird to take the mound getting the win and the complete game.
Schellenberg allowed nine hits, one run and one walk with six strikeouts. Six of the nine hits came in the first four innings along with Azusa's only run, and then Shellenberg shutdown Azusa allowing only three more hits and no more runs.
Azusa Pacific got the first score in the second inning, where Azusa had their biggest inning with three hits and one run. The Sunbirds responded with a triple from Alec Mehrten, and then a single from Karlan Andrews to bring Mehrten home for the Sunbirds' first score. In the fourth inning, the Sunbirds took the lead from a single from Joey Norwood to bring in Jacob Burns, who was walked and then advanced to second off an error.
The newest NAIA top 25 poll came out yesterday, and both Azusa and Fresno Pacific maintained their rankings as 6th and 24th, respectively. However, the Sunbirds win over a top ten team could be an influence in the next poll on Tuesday, April 7.
To really make a statement the Sunbirds will have to focus on Azusa Pacific one more time. The Sunbirds will return to the FPU Field tomorrow to finish their regular season series against Azusa. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
