Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Turlock, Calif. - One day removed from being swept in their home opener, Fresno Pacific faced the tough task of trying to even up the season series with Cal State Stanislaus on the road. The Sunbirds would do just that, getting much better hitting and riding some dominant pitching performances to 3-1 and 3-0 wins on Saturday.

"You can't get much better than the pitching we got from Castadio and Ashford," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "Those two were just flawless today and De La Torre was dominant out of the bullpen as well. The team really needed that today and it just shows what kind of competitors those guys are."

"We did a very good job today of responding on the road," Hirschkorn continued. "It was just a matter of not getting too wrapped up in a bad day, realizing it's a long season and getting back to work. We hit much better today, better than the numbers indicated and I feel like we're building from here."

The Sunbirds improved to 5-2 on the season with the wins while the Warriors fell to 3-4.

Game 1 - Fresno Pacific 3, Cal State Stanislaus 1

FPU scored three runs in the ninth for a come-from-behind victory in game one. It was a pitcher's duel throughout with FPU's Ryan Castadio going toe-to-toe with CSUS starter Rafael Vasquez.

Chris De La Torre came on in relief for FPU and struck out the last two batters of the eighth, giving the team its final chance to come back from a 1-0 deficit as it headed to the top of the ninth.

Bobby Mendoza quickly lined a single up the middle and was pinch-run for by Zak Taylor, who stole second. That chased Vasquez from the game as CSUS brought in Danny Molieri, who recorded two saves against FPU yesterday. Brett Bishop then reached on an error and both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.

That brought Kyle Coppom, who finished 2-for-4, to the plate and he would deliver for the Sunbirds, belting a double to left field to put FPU ahead 2-1. The Sunbirds added an insurance run later in the inning and De La Torre stayed on to pitch a 1-2-3 ninth and earn the win.

Game 2 - Fresno Pacific 3, Cal State Stanislaus 0 (7 innings)

In game two FPU's Wilson Ashford turned in a masterful performance on the mound, tossing a complete-game one-hitter to earn the victory in his first start of the year. Devin Lee went 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot and Kenny Overly provided a two-RBI triple in the fourth to spark the team's offense.

Ashford walked none and struck out three in the win. The Warriors' only hit came in the third inning and from that point Ashford retired 13 consecutive batters as FPU's three-run cushion proved to be more than enough.

Hirschkorn is excited about the way the young team has come along thus far this season.

"We're continuining to build and I'm very excited about this team," said Hirschkorn. "We have so many guys, it's obviously going to take us some time to gel and find our identity. Like many FPU teams of the past, we've got great pitching and great defense. The exciting thing is that we have a roster full of guys that can hit, bunt and run. I think the ceiling for this group is pretty high."

With today's wins, this year's team has already equaled last season's total for wins on the road. Last year's group struggled to a 5-17 road record.

The Sunbirds are back at home on February 19 for their first ever Pacific West Conference games. FPU hosts Hawaii Hilo for a four-game series, beginning at 4 pm on that Tuesday.