Box Score

Matt Mazzoni threw six scoreless innings and Fresno Pacific scored six runs in the bottom of the 6th to defeat Bethany (Kansas) 11-0 in Monday's season opener at FPU.

Mazzoni gave up two hits over six innings, walking just one and striking out seven to earn the win. Andrew Douglas, Tyler Pryor, Wes Dorrell  and Michael Rivera had two RBI apiece in the victory. Trent Soares scored three runs out of the leadoff spot in his first game as a Sunbird.

After stranding runners in scoring position in the first two innings, Soares would help get the scoring going in the third, tripling to left center to start the inning. Douglas went the other way for a sacrifice fly that gave the team its first run of the season.

The Sunbirds would leave the bases loaded in the fourth, but would tack on a run in the bottom of the 5th when Rivera followed a Dorrell double with an RBI single. Bethany starter Erik Allen did a good job of bending but not breaking through the first five innings, getting the key out when it was needed.

However in the sixth inning, Allen would find himself in a jam yet again and this time wouldn't be as fortunate. Karlan Andrews doubled to start the inning but after two line-outs, it seemed the Sunbirds would strand yet another runner in scoring position.

An infield dribbler off the bat of Soares should have gotten Allen out of the inning unscathed, but a poor throw by the first baseman extended the inning and allowed Andrews to score. The Swedes would switch pitchers and the Sunbirds would take advantage of the extra out.

Dorrell delivered a two-RBI double and Rivera came through again with an RBI single. The Sunbirds were aided by another Bethany error, as well as some control issues by the Bethany relievers. When all was said and done the Sunbirds would strand the bases loaded, but now held an 8-0 lead.

FPU added three runs in the bottom of the seventh, with freshman Steven Lozier hitting a double in his first at-bat as a Sunbird and later scoring on a two-RBI double from Pryor, who had been held hitless until that point.

FPU closed out the game with three scoreless innings from its bullpen. Michael Jimenez and Kyle Lovero didn't allow a hit, while Greg Kilgore struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

The Sunbirds finished with 12 men left on base, but pounded out 13 hits in the victory while holding Bethany to just three. The Swedes dropped to 0-4 on the season, losing all four games of their western road trip.

FPU (1-0) goes on the road this weekend for a three-game series with San Francisco State, beginning Friday at 2 pm.