Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Highlights
Senior Day Interviews

Fresno Pacific celebrated senior day in grand fashion on Saturday, defeating Hawaii Pacific (30-20, 19-17 PacWest) 7-2 and 8-5 to win the four-game series with the Sea Warriors. Wilson Ashford delivered a gutsy performance in game one with an eight inning gem on the mound while Brett Bishop delivered three hits and four RBI and James Lagorio threw six scoreless innings in game two for FPU (27-19, 18-14 PacWest).

The Sunbirds celebrated the careers of seniors Matt Fox, Steven Moon, Garrett Costa, Ryan Cheek and Ryan Castadio in-between games, marking the final game at FPU Diamond for the five.

Ashford was the difference in game one, earning his seventh win of the season after surrendering two earned runs and striking out four.

"We had to win this series and we got exactly what we needed from our starting pitchers,” said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. “Our backs were against the wall and we had to have quality starts; and we got that from Wilson and James.”

Following his only mistake of the afternoon after allowing a two-run home run to Kale Sumner in the fourth, Ashford found himself in a huge spot in the eighth with Sumner at the plate and the Sea Warriors within striking distance. With the count 2-2, Sumner proceeded to ground into a 6-4-3 double play before Ashford finished off the inning with a huge strikeout of Marvin Campbell to end the threat.

The offense backed Ashford's gem with a five run third inning to put FPU in command. The inning was started with a Baron Bower single and a Steven Lozier double to put runners at second and third with one out.

With the speed of Bower and Lozier on the bases, the Sunbirds delivered a squeeze from Fox to score the first run of the game. Robert Chambas followed with an RBI single before Brett Bishop delivered a double over the left fielders head to put FPU ahead 3-0. Moon finished off the inning with a two RBI single to put Fresno Pacific ahead 5-0.

FPU would tack on runs in the seventh and the eighth to make the final 7-2.

Moon finished 2-4 with three RBI and Fox drove in two in the win for FPU. Ryan Cheek threw a scoreless ninth to seal the victory for the Sunbirds.

FPU started right where they left off in game one with Bishop doubling home Fox to take a 1-0 lead after the first inning of game two. The Sunbirds would extend the lead to 4-0 following a Lozier triple and another Bishop double in the second to give starter James Lagorio some breathing room.

Lagorio, however, didn't need very much breathing room after delivering six scoreless frames while allowing seven hits to pick up his third win of the year.

The big moment in the game featured Lagorio escaping a bases loaded situation in the fourth with FPU up 4-0, rolling up a double play to end the threat.

FPU eventually led 8-0 heading into the final inning before escaping with an 8-5 win. HPU put up five runs in the seventh highlighted by a grand slam off the right field foul pole by Campbell, who finished 2-4 with four RBI in the game.

Bishop led FPU in game two with three hits and four RBI while Lozier chipped in with two hits, two runs and two RBI.

“We are developing an identity on offense and guys are starting to play to their strengths,” said Hirschkorn. “Some guys are settling down and letting the game come to them.”

With FPU taking three of four from Hawaii Pacific, the Sunbirds are looking to move up in the NCCAA national poll to make a run at making the regional playoffs.

Fresno Pacific travels down to Hayward, CA to take on Holy Names in a crucial four game series starting Thursday at 11:00 am. The games will be played at CSU East Bay.