Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Fresno, Calif. - Fresno Pacific pounded out 29 hits in Saturday's doubleheader, including 21 in game two, as the Sunbirds swept a doubleheader from NCAA Division II #22-ranked Dixie State 3-1 and 12-2.

FPU (24-18, 15-13 PacWest) had superior pitching all day and then really came alive on offense in the 7-inning second game to take three of four from the Red Storm (27-13, 19-11 PacWest) in the series.

Head coach Oscar Hirschkorn made some adjustments to the lineup after a dismal offensive series last weekend at Point Loma, and it paid off against Dixie State.

"We were prepared to play and a lot more specific with our plan, especially offensively," said Hirschkorn. "The players felt prepared and there was a new level of focus. That's what you want to see from a group of guys when they're down. After last weekend they could have just tanked and given up, but that's one thing about these guys all year long, they don't give up."

Wilson Ashford (6-2) tossed six scoreless innings, striking out seven to earn the win in game one, while Mitchell Scott came on with 2-on and 1-out in the ninth to earn the save. Steven Moon went 3-for-4 with two RBI to pace the offense.

In game two, the Sunbirds put up back-to-back five-run innings in the fourth and fifth as the team pounded out 21 hits in the 7-inning game for the 12-2 win. James Lagorio (2-1) went six innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run while striking out six to earn the win.

Kaohu Gaspar went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and Kyle Coppom finished 4-for-5 with four RBI in the win. Steven Lozier and Robert Chambas added three hits apiece.

Chambas got the scoring going for the Sunbirds in the first inning of the first game with an RBI single to center to score Gaspar. Moon added an RBI double and an RBI single later in the game as FPU built up a 3-0 lead. Dixie State got a run in the eighth, but Ryan Cheek ended the threat with a strikeout as the Sunbirds took a two-run lead into the ninth.

The Red Storm put two runners on in the ninth with one out and the heart of their order coming up, but Scott got DSU's Colton Yack to line into a game-ending double play to second base. Matt Fox snagged the liner and doubled off the runner at first for the win. FPU handed DSU starter Austin Christiansen just his second loss of the season.

In game two it would be Chambas once again providing a key early hit, plating Gaspar in the first inning again, this time with an RBI double. The Red Storm would come back and get two off Lagorio in the top of the second before Steven Lozier tied it in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single.

The Sunbirds would take a 7-2 lead after getting five runs across in the fourth inning that was highlighted by a two-RBI single by Coppom and a 2-RBI double by Moon. The following inning was much of the same as FPU unleashed six straight singles, seven total, for another five-run inning to go up 12-2.

Bryce Anderson took the loss for the Red Storm, surrendering 12 hits and seven runs in just over three innings of work. Kellen Hackett came on in relief of Lagorio to close it out with a scoreless inning for FPU.

FPU takes on Hawaii Pacific at home next weekend in the final home series of the year. The doubleheader on Saturday will be senior day for this year's graduating players.