Box Score

Riverside, Calif. - J.D. Salles threw a complete game and Fresno Pacific's lineup backed him up with 13 hits as the #2-seeded Sunbirds defeated #3-seed Arizona Christian 5-2 in game one of the NCCAA West Regional on Thursday, moving FPU into the winner's bracket where they'll face the host, top-seed California Baptist tomorrow at noon.

"I really liked what I saw out of our team today," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "There was a different level of energy, the focus was there, it was exactly what you want to see out of a team in a playoff environment. I was very pleased with our approach and demeanor."

Salles set the tone early, not allowing the Firestorm to reach base until the fourth inning and striking out five of the first nine hitters he faced.

"J.D. was really good today and he was the difference," said Hirschkorn. "He pitched like a champion."

The Sunbird ace would get some early run support in the bottom of the second as Kaohu Gaspar singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and came around to score on a hit by Steven Moon.

"Our offense did a great job of executing today," said Hirschkorn. "They produced really good at-bats, were willing to go the other way and bunted very well."

The Sunbirds would load the bases with no outs before ACU starter Tanner Tripp got Steven Lozier to ground into a double play, which plated a run but limited the damage as FPU led 2-0 heading to the third.

A two-out rally started by Kyle Coppom's single in the third would produce another run after Coppom stole second and came across to score as Gaspar ripped an RBI single to center. The Sunbirds would have added one more as Bobby Mendoza hit a double in the gap to score Gaspar, but it was negated after it was ruled that Gaspar had failed to touch third base.

ACU would finally get to Salles in the fourth, plating two runs on two hits and two walks to get within 3-2, but the Sunbird righty would work out of the jam.

The Sunbirds would give Salles a couple insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, once again loading the bases with no outs. This time Robert Chambas delivered an RBI single to right and Brett Bishop plated one more on a fielder's choice.

Salles would retire the Firestorm in order in the final inning (all NCCAA postseason games are required to be 7 innings) to finish off the complete game.

Salles ended the day with seven innings pitched and just three hits and two walks surrendered while strking out nine. Tripp took the loss for ACU, giving up 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Chambas led the way at the plate for the Sunbirds, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. All of FPU's 13 hits were singles. Moon, Gaspar, Matt Fox and John Koretoff each added two hits apiece.

The Sunbirds improved to 31-20 on the season with the win while the Firestrom dropped to 28-24. The team feels confident heading into tomorrow's winner's bracket game.

"Whoever wins that game tomorrow really puts themselves in the driver's seat," said Hirschkorn. "It's a pivotal game, regardless of who the opponent is. I think it really comes down to us and our approach. We feel like we're in control if we do the things we know we're capable of."

FPU and CBU will play at 12 pm tomorrow, after the Lancers defeated #4 seed Point Loma 7-2. The loser of FPU-CBU will play again right away against the winner of today's elimination game between Point Loma and Arizona Christian.