Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

In its first ever Pacific West Conference games, the Fresno Pacific baseball team cruised to a 13-0 home victory over Hawaii Hilo in game one, before letting one get away in a 5-4 (7-inning) second game loss.

J.D. Salles tossed seven shutout innings and struck out five to earn the win in game one as the Sunbirds pounded out 16 hits to provide plenty of run support. Steven Moon had three hits, while Brett Bishop and Kenny Overly had three RBI each in the win. Bishop, Devin Lee, Bobby Mendoza, John Koretoff and Matt Fox each finished with two hits.

Bishop got the scoring going in the first inning with an RBI double to score Mendoza and the team added two more off the first of five Vulcan errors. Overly singled in two more runs in the third and the Sunbirds continued to pour it on from that point.

"Hitting is contagious," said Moon. "We just fed off each other and focused on line drives and hitting the ball on the ground hard."

Kellen Hackett and Tanner Irwin threw scoreless innings out of the bullpen. UH Hilo starter Patrick Fletcher gave up six runs in three innings to take the loss.

In game two the Sunbirds fell behind 5-1 but came storming back in the last two innings. Mendoza made it 5-2 in the sixth inning after he singled and Lee scored on an error on the play. Bishop then delivered an RBI single to get FPU within 5-3.

"We stayed really positive in the dugout," said Moon. "Guys were cheering each other on and I feel like because of that we were able to rally at the end."

The Sunbirds would have all kinds of chances in the bottom of the seventh with the team down to its final three outs. Overly reached base when the Vulcan left fielder dropped a fly ball to start the inning. Moon then drew a walk and Robert Chambas was hit by a pitch to load the bases and put the winning run on base.

Kaohu Gaspar came on to pinch hit and drew a walk, making the score 5-4 and putting the winning run in scoring position with no outs. The rest of the game was a nightmare scenario for the Sunbirds however as Lee struck out looking on a full count for the first out and Mendoza hit a short chopper to the catcher who touched home plate for the force and fired to first to complete the game-ending double play.

Richie Mariano earned the save for the Vulcans and Gavin Kinoshita picked up the win. Ryan Castadio started for FPU, giving up five runs in 5 1/3 innings but striking out seven. James Lagorio and Ryan Cheek provided scoreless work out of the bullpen.

Keenan Nishioka totaled four hits on the day to lead the Vulcan offense. Wil Thayer had four RBI in the second game.

FPU is now 6-3 on the season, 1-1 in PacWest play. Hawaii Hilo moves to 3-7, 2-4 in the PacWest. The two teams meet up again on Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at noon.

"Coach told us to stay focused," said Moon. "To learn from this game and know that when we have seven-inning games we can't afford to get behind early. He wants us to keep the intensity throughout the game and focus on getting ahead early."