Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Fresno Pacific split a Saturday doubleheader with conference rival Azusa Pacific on Saturday taking the first game 3-2 before being shut out 2-0 in the second game. The Sunbirds (11-6, 6-2 PacWest) took three out of four overall in the series after sweeping the road doubleheader from the Cougars (4-14, 2-6 PacWest) last week.

After giving up a two-run homer to APU's Danny Gonzales in the first inning of game one, FPU starter J.D. Salles settled down to go 7 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts to earn the win and improve to 4-1 on the season.

"He's going to be frustrated with that outing but he battled and competed," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "That's what we need from him and that's what he gave us. He made one mistake and was really good from that point on."

Josh Medeles came on in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and two outs, but the Sunbird lefty got out of the jam and stayed on to earn the save in the ninth.

"Medeles was phenomenal," said Hirschkorn. "He really looked like himself and came on in a tough situation and shut them down."

Brett Bishop got one of the runs back right away with a solo homer in the bottom half of the first to make the score 2-1.

"That was huge," said Hirschkorn. "We didn't get it all back right there, but that sign of life was big for momentum and ended up being crucial as we to how we would fight back and win that game."

The Sunbirds would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth with two runs, going up 3-2 after an RBI single by Kyle Coppom. Steven Lozier finished 2-for-3 in the victory. Right-fielder Devin Lee made a diving catch with the Cougars threatening in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win.

In game two the Sunbirds had no answer for APU starter Michael Finnegan, who went seven scoreless innings giving up just two hits and striking out six to pick up the win. The Sunbirds went down 2-0 early and just couldn't get anything going offensively. Wilson Ashford made the start for FPU, giving up seven hits and two runs in three innings of work.

"Finnegan did a really good job," said Hirschkorn. "I know he's battled some injuries this year but that looked like the All-GSAC pitcher he was last year. When you're facing a guy like that who's on, you can't miss opportunities and that's exactly what we did. Wilson was fine today but they did a good job of capitalizing on their opportunities and that was the difference."

The team had its best chance in the fourth inning when Lee drew a leadoff walk and Bishop singled before Coppom walked to load the bases. Kaohu Gaspar popped up with the bases loaded though to end the inning.

Mitchell Scott, Chris De La Torre and James Lagorio all gave the team quality innings out of the bullpen, allowing the Sunbirds to stay within striking distance. FPU would put the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh, but stranded two runners on as the last two batters popped out and struck out.

FPU takes on reigning PacWest champion and former GSAC rival California Baptist (11-7, 4-0 PacWest) in Riverside next weekend.