Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Game 1 - Hawaii Pacific 2, Fresno Pacific 1
Game 2 - Fresno Pacific 5, Hawaii Pacific 4

*HPU is ranked #8 in the NCAA Division II West Region. FPU is receiving votes.

The Sunbirds (6-5, 1-1 PacWest) salvaged a much-needed doubleheader split in their first PacWest Conference series of the season, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth of the second game to split with the visiting Sea Warriors (6-1, 1-1 PacWest).

"We showed what we're all about," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "These guys did a great job of bouncing back. First inning down 3-0, that's not typical Wilson Ashford, but then for the next seven innings he's basically flawless and now all the sudden it goes from what would appear to be a bad start, to a great start. And because he didn't fold up shop, we had a chance to win the game."

The teams were tied heading into the ninth inning of each game. In the first game HPU would score to go ahead 2-1 and the Sunbirds would be unable to answer as ace J.D. Salles (8 1/3 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) took his first loss of the season.

"I was dissapointed most of the day offensively but about halfway through the second game we flipped and we got a more offensive mindset," said Hirschkorn. "We started to take more aggressive swings, started to look for better pitches, pitches we could drive."

HPU would also take the lead in the ninth inning of game two, after the Sunbirds had fought all the way back from a 3-0 first inning deficit. This time the Sunbirds would answer after Kaohu Gaspar led off the bottom of the ninth with a double off the wall, going to third on the play as the outfielder bobbled the ball.

"Gaspar has the ability to change the game at any point, he really does," said Hirschkorn. "He stayed with some great swings, didn't try to do too much and let his talents take over."

Joshua Banuelos, who had his first hitless series of the season, still found a way to be a major contributor by delivering the game-tying sacrifice fly on the next at-bat. Hunter Villanueva delivered another hit in the inning to put runners on the corners and the HPU shortstop misplayed a ball on the final play as the winning run came across.

Gaspar and Villanueva each collected four hits on the day for FPU. Baron Bower delivered key hits in both games as well. Villanueva delivered the defensive play of the day, essentially robbing a home run from HPU in left field in game one.

Chad Bolibol had four hits to lead the Sea Warriors, who got quality starts from pitchers Joshua Garcia and Luke Laurita. Garcia was drilled by a line drive off the bat of Banuelos in the first inning, but stayed in the game and pitched well into the seventh.

Ashford threw well for FPU in game two, giving up three runs in the first inning but settling down and throwing seven straight scoreless frames with five strikeouts in the no decision. Josh Medeles would earn the win, coming on in the ninth to strand a runner with a key strikeout.

The two teams match up again on Monday for a doubleheader starting at 4 pm.