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Fresno Pacific struggled to put the ball in play on Thursday at Point Loma Nazarene, dropping both games of a doubleheader to the last-place Sea Lions and striking out 28 times in the process.

FPU (17-16, 8-12 GSAC) was shut out 2-0 in game one as PLNU's Justin Lawrence tossed seven scoreless innings while striking out 15. In game two the Sunbirds led 3-0 most of the way before crumbling in the late innings as a walk-off single in the seventh gave the Sea Lions a 4-3 win.

In game one the Sunbirds couldn't get anything going offensively but remained within striking distance due to a quality outing by starter Matt Mazzoni, who struck out seven in six innings of work giving up two runs. Wilson Ashford pitched two scoreless innings of relief. The Sunbirds managed just four hits in the loss.

FPU would get on the board early in the second game as PLNU starter Chris Gonzales walked the bases loaded to start the game and was pulled after just three batters. The Sunbirds would get just one run across though, part of nine runners left on base in the seven-inning game.

An RBI single by Scott Laird combined with a Sea Lion error put FPU ahead 3-0 in the third, but the next two batters would strike out, stranding two more runners in scoring position. The Sunbirds held that lead until the bottom of the sixth, when a wild pitch followed by a pinch-hit two-RBI single from PLNU's Andy Littlefield tied the game at three.

Derek Benny finished his day with six innings pitched and three earned runs, scattering four hits and striking out two. He was relieved by Steven Lozier in the seventh.

PLNU started off the final inning of the seven-inning game with a full-count single. After a strikeout and a walk, PLNU's Bryan Burkhead delivered the game-winning single down the right-field line as the Sea Lions improved to 15-20, 8-14 in conference play.

Alec Mehrten and Robbie De La Cruz each finished with two hits on the day to lead the Sunbirds, who will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host PLNU for a doubleheader beginning at 11 am.