Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Game 1 - Fresno Pacific 4, #8 Chico State 3
Game 2 - #8 Chico State 4, Fresno Pacific 1 (7 innings)

FPU Baseball Video - Season Preview

CHICO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific made a statement in its season opener on Saturday as the second-year NCAA Division II program knocked off West Region #1-ranked Chico State 4-3 in game one, before falling 4-1 in game two to earn a split with the NCAA #8-nationally ranked Wildcats.

The Sunbirds led for all but four of the 16 innings played between the two teams, using superior pitching and quality at-bats to go toe-to-toe with the West Region's traditional powerhouse and showcase themselves as a force to be reckoned with going forward.

"This was a good split for us and a great way to start off the season," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "To be able to go on the road and perform against such a great team is important for us as a program. We have some things to work on and we know we need to keep getting better, but this is a good start to build off of."

FPU built a 2-0 lead in game one behind a strong pitching performance from starter J.D. Salles, but the Wildcats would get to the Sunbird ace with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, primarily on a bad throw following a bunt, to take a 3-2 lead. FPU maintained composure however and came right back with two runs in the eighth, including a game-tying double by John Koretoff and a go-ahead sac fly by Devin Turner.

"I was really pleased with our demeanor throughout the day," said Hirschkorn. "Starting with J.D. being able to settle down and work out of some jams early on. After battling the adrenaline, he relaxed and just made pitches. He had dominant stuff and it was fun to watch. That demeanor was matched by the rest of the team. When we went down, our guys handled it well and just went right back to work. Nobody tried to get it all back at once, but instead but together a string of great at-bats."

The FPU bullpen was in top form, throwing three no-hit innings in relief of Salles. Josh Medeles (1-0) earned the win after coming on for Salles and working out of a jam in the seventh. Michael Rodrigues made his Sunbird debut with 1 2/3 scoreless innings before James Lagorio struck out the final batter to earn the save with the tying run just 90 feet away on third base.

Michael Hostetler, Michael Tittle and Kaohu Gaspar had two hits apiece in the win. Ryne Clark went 3-for-3 for the Wildcats in the loss.

In game two, FPU took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by freshman Hunter Villanueva. Wilson Ashford was sharp through the first four innings but the heralded Wildcat offense would get going in the fifth, scoring three runs to chase Ashford from the game. Once again, a misplayed bunt factored in to the Wildcats' big inning.

Kaohu Gaspar went 3-for-3 in the game two loss. FPU had seven hits as a team, but left six runners on base. Marcos Lara (1-0) earned the win for the Wildcats while Luke Barker earned a two-inning save.

Hirschkorn was coaching against his alma mater, where he was a member of the Wildcats' 1997 NCAA Division II national championship team.

"It was really fun for me," said Hirschkorn. "It brought back a lot of memories and I got to see a lot of people I played with or that coached me. This was a good trip for our team, to be able to schedule such a tough team on the road and come away with a win. I'm very excited about the direction of our program."

FPU opens its home schedule this Friday at 4 pm, hosting Cal State Stanislaus in a doubleheader starting at 4 pm.

A season preview article will be released next week.