SIOUX CITY, Iowa – No. 13 Fresno Pacific (37-19) took the long way, but has made it to the Regional Championship game for a spot into the NAIA World Series. The Sunbirds won two more games today defeating No. 16 Madonna University (39-12) 6-2 and No. 11 Bellevue (41-11) 8-5. Since the Sunbirds first loss to Madonna University in the opening game, the Sunbirds have gone 4-0 to reach the championship game where they will have to repeat their victory over Bellevue.
Jared Coleman got the Sunbirds off on the right foot in both games hitting leadoff homeruns to begin the early leads the Sunbirds would setup for both victories. Coleman would finish the day four-for-nine with five RBIs, three RBIs coming against Madonna.
Coleman had two RBIs against Bellevue along with teammates Tyler Pryor and Justin Keeney.
In both games the Sunbirds had huge innings to put them well ahead. Against Madonna, the Sunbirds scored four in the eighth innings, two coming from a double by Coleman. Against Bellevue, the Sunbirds scored five in the second to go up 6-0, and even though Bellevue came back within one run, the Sunbirds held them off for the victory.
The Sunbirds' pitching came ready to play in both the victories; Jacob Burns and Daniel Brodie received the wins for the Sunbirds. Burns started the first 7.2 innings against Madonna allowing only four hits and two runs with seven strikeouts, and the Brian Oliver closed for the Sunbirds pitching the final 1.1 innings keeping Madonna quiet at the plate.
Oliver received his 13th save of the season allowing no hits and no runs.
Kelyn Schellenberg struggled in his start against Bellevue pitching four innings and allowing ten hits and five runs, but Brodie came in for the final five innings and turned around the Sunbirds' luck on the mound. Brodie only allowed one hit and kept Bellevue scoreless in the final five innings with six strikeouts.
The Regional Tournament Championship game is set for a rematch between Fresno Pacific and Bellevue tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. The winner will receive a spot in the ten-team NAIA National Championship Tournament.
