Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

Karlan Andrews game-tying single

Aaron Lynn threw eight scoreless innings and Scott Laird drove in four runs as #12 Fresno Pacific defeated visiting Vanguard 8-0 in game one of Saturday's doubleheader.

The second game went to extra innings after Karlan Andrews capped an FPU rally in the 7th to tie it. The Sunbirds would fall in the 9th though, giving up two runs to lose 3-1.

The lack of offense in game two wasted a quality start by Jesse Darrah, who was mowing through the Lion lineup with no problem until the 6th when miscommunication between the left and center fielder with two outs allowed the game's first run to score. A diving catch by David White prevented more damage.

Robert Purpura had the Sunbirds on lock down for most of the day, finishing with seven innings pitched and 11 strikeouts, but down 1-0 in the final frame the Sunbirds would fight back. Laird, seeing the ball well all day, was exactly who the Sunbirds wanted up to start the rally and he delivered a single to left.

Purpura would strike out the next batter, but Michael Rivera singled to put runners on the corners. Rivera had come in to pitch in the top half of the inning and struck out two. With two on the Sunbirds tried a squeeze play with Alec Mehrten, but pinch-runner Alex Santacruz was called out at the plate in a very close call.

That put runners on first and second with two outs. Andrews came through with the clutch play of the day, taking one pitch and then driving the next one into left for a single. Patrick Bariteau, pinch-running, came racing around to score and tie the game. Purpura would get another strikeout to end the inning, but the Sunbirds now had new life.

Unfortunately the offense, missing both Trent Soares and Wes Dorrell to injuries, couldn't muster anything else. Michael Jimenez worked a scoreless 8th for FPU, but VU's Jerry Pena ripped a double off the right field wall to start the 9th. Jimenez would get the next two outs, but after an intentional walk and a bunt single, Jacob Domingos delivered a pinch-hit 2-RBI single to make it 3-1.

Mehrten singled with two outs in the bottom half, but VU's Mike Leal finished the game off to earn the win.

Lynn was the star of the first game for the Sunbirds, which looked like a pitcher's duel until FPU scored four off of Lions' ace Gabriel Garcia in the 6th. Lynn would finish with eight scoreless innings and give up just four hits while walking none.

White beat out an infield single to get things going in the 6th. Tyler Pryor followed with a single and the two advanced on a balk. Laird then provided the big hit they'd been waiting for, a single to center that made it 2-0 Sunbirds.

Andrew Douglas added an RBI double later in the inning and another run would score on an error to make it 4-0, which was more than Lynn would need. The Sunbirds scored four more later in the game off a wild Vanguard bullpen.

Pryor, Laird and Mehrten each totaled three hits on the day to lead the team. Pryor was in the leadoff spot for Soares, who should be back in the lineup next week to face #7 Biola.

Biola fell out of first place today after dropping a doubleheader to #8 Cal Baptist. The Lancers move in to first at 20-8, where they spent most of the early season before the Sunbirds knocked them off for 3 of 4. FPU is now 18-10 in conference play, a game behind Biola for second.

Around the GSAC
#8 Cal Baptist (H) 3, #7 Biola 2
#8 Cal Baptist (H) 2, #7 Biola 1
Azusa Pacific (H) 6, San Diego Christian 5
Azusa Pacific (H) 9, San Diego Christian 2
The Masters 5, Point Loma Nazarene (H) 3
Point Loma Nazarene (H) 2, The Masters 1 (8 inn.)
Concordia (H) 2, Westmont 1