Box Score

Fresno Pacific snapped a five-game losing streak on Thursday, defeating visiting Vanguard 8-5 behind seven innings of scoreless ball from starting pitcher Matt Mazzoni.

The Sunbirds (14-12, 5-8 GSAC), who entered the game having lost seven of eight, built up an 8-0 lead before the Lions (9-10, 1-8 GSAC) scored five runs in a sloppy eighth inning.

Mazzoni went seven innings giving up just two hits to earn the win. Steven Lozier went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Scott Laird had a key two-RBI single and Alan Sandoval reached base in four of five plate appearances to lead the Sunbirds offensively.

FPU's patience at the plate would pay off as the team drew six walks off Lion starter J.R. Bromberg. Bromberg, who lasted 5 2/3 innings, had trouble finding the plate as he also hit three batters and had two wild pitches.

The Sunbirds took a 2-0 lead in the first without needing a single hit, then tacked on four more in the third after Laird's single made it 6-0. Blaine Taylor stole a base and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth and Matt Fox delivered a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh to add on two more.

After a five-run outburst by the Lions in the top of the eighth, aided by two FPU errors, Michael Rivera came on to close in the ninth. It was the first save opportunity for the Sunbird closer, now fully healthy after being sidelined to start the season. He proceeded to baffle the Lion hitters with a mid 90s fastball and devastating offspeed pitches to strike out the first two hitters and get the final batter to foul out to the catcher, a diving play by John Koretoff.

The two teams will meet up again tomorrow at 2 pm at FPU before taking the series to Costa Mesa for a Saturday doubleheader.