Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)
Fresno Pacific suffered two gut-wrenching losses on Saturday at Concordia, blowing a late lead in the first game to fall 7-6 in extra innings and losing on a controversial call 6-5 in the second game.
The Sunbirds (9-8, 4-4 GSAC) hurt themselves with five errors on the day but still had a chance to win both games late.
Trent Soares blasted a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to break a 4-4 tie and send FPU into the final frame needing just three outs to win, but the Eagles would mount a comeback and go on to win in extras.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Wes Dorrell hit his second homer of the day to put FPU up 5-4 in the 5th, but the Eagles would score once in the 5th and once in the 6th to take the lead.
On the game's final play, Tyler Pryor doubled to centerfield and Patrick Bariteau tried to score from first. He appeared to beat the throw, which would have tied the game, sliding under the catcher but the umpire called him out to end the game.
Dorrell went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the second game, but Concordia's Bryan Nicholson countered him with three home runs on the day, going a total of 4-for-6 with five RBI.
In the first game, Aaron Lynn pitched well, throwing 6 2/3 innings and striking out four while giving up three earned runs, but the Sunbird bullpen gave up four runs in the last three innings.
The Sunbirds led for much of the game, taking a 2-0 lead in the second as Andrew Douglas and Scott Laird each doubled and scored. Michael Rivera delivered an RBI single as well.
The Eagles would tie it, but Wes Dorrell launched his second homer of the season to put FPU back ahead. Bryan Nicholson answered in the bottom of the sixth for the Eagles, hitting the first of what would be three homers on the day to tie the game at three.
FPU took a 4-3 lead in the 8th when Tyler Pryor singled in Douglas, but the Sunbirds stranded runners on first and third, getting picked off to end the inning. Rivera came on in relief with two-on and two-out in the bottom half of the inning, but a walk and an error allowed the Eagles to tie it up again.
Soares gave the Sunbirds the lead with his two-run homer in the ninth, scoring Rivera, but it was all downhill from there. CUI would plate two in the ninth and FPU needed to work out of a jam just to get to extra innings.
Once in the 10th, the Sunbirds put two runners on but grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the bottom of the 10th, FPU let the first runner reach base on a hit by pitch and that would be the eventual winning run after a fielder's choice, a sacrifice bunt and a walk-off single by John Hill.
Ryan Day earned the win for the Eagles by pitching a scoreless tenth. Kyle Lovero took the loss for FPU. Pryor finished the game 3-for-5 for the Sunbirds. Concordia's Tyler Derby was also 3-for-5.
Pryor continued his hot streak into the second game and gave the Sunbirds an early lead with a two-RBI double in the first. Nicholson homered off FPU starter David Hawes in the bottom half to tie it.
FPU regained the lead on an RBI single by Dorrell scoring
Trent Soares, before Nicholson continued his rampage with another two-run shot to put the Eagles ahead.
Dorrell answered right back with his second homer of the day to make it 5-4 FPU in the top of the fifth, but the bottom half of the inning was extended by a two-out error and the Eagles would tie it. CUI got another run across with an RBI single in the 6th after a runner reached on a lightly-hit infield single.
Ryan Day came on to close for the Eagles and got the first batter to strike out. Dorrell singled, but the next batter struck out as well bringing the Sunbirds to their final out. The aforementioned call at the plate would end the game, but FPU certainly had its chances beforehand.
The Eagles notched their first two GSAC wins of the season, improving to 2-6 in conference play, 8-6 overall.
FPU returns home for three games in Fresno this week, beginning with a Tuesday evening game at 6 pm vs. Menlo. The Sunbirds then begin a four-game series with conference foe The Master's.
Around the GSAC
Azusa Pacific 5, Biola (H) 4 (15 inn.) (Completion of March 3 suspended game)
Biola 7, Azusa Pacific (H) 4
Azusa Pacific (H) 8, Biola 4
California Baptist 14, Westmont (H) 3
California Baptist 10, Westmont (H) 2
Point Loma Nazarene (H) 13, San Diego Christian 12 (11 inn.)
San Diego Christian 6, Point Loma Nazarene (H) 3
Vanguard (H) 5, The Masters 1
The Masters 5, Vanguard (H) 3
