Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

SAN FRANCISCO - Fresno Pacific came from behind on Friday to take two important PacWest victories away from Academy of Art. The Sunbirds (18-10, 9-5 PacWest) struggled at the plate for much of the day but showed tremendous patience and composure when the pressure was on in the late innings.

FPU entered the ninth inning in game one trailing 2-0 before Steven Moon led off with a single. The next two batters went down though, bringing the Urban Knights (2-23, 1-15 PacWest) one out away. That's when things began to unravel for the home team as Baron Bower drew a walk and Robert Chambas was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

The Sunbirds' patience at the plate continued while Academy of Art continued to falter under the pressure. Matt Fox pinch-hit and drew a walk to bring the score within 2-1 before Brett Bishop drew a walk as well to tie the game. The Urban Knights brought in a new pitcher who proceeded to walk Kyle Coppom on four pitches and give FPU the lead. After another call to the bullpen, Kaohu Gaspar walked to make it 4-2.

Chris De La Torre (3-0) closed out the game to earn the win in relief after a strong outing by J.D. Salles went for a no-decision.

In game two the Sunbirds had to deliver in the clutch once again, finding themselves trailing 2-1 in the sixth inning before Coppom connected on his fourth homerun of the season to tie it. Gaspar then drew a walk and stole second before Moon drew a walk, bringing up Fox who came through with a go-ahead RBI single.

Ryan Castadio (2-2) earned the win by going 6 1/3 innings with one earned run, no walks and five strikeouts. Ryan Cheek came on in the final inning for a two-out save.

The two teams meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at noon.