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#4 Fresno Pacific 4, #1 Oklahoma Christian 0
#4 Fresno Pacific 4, #8 Trinity Christian 0

MASON, Ohio - Fresno Pacific punched its ticket to the NCCAA semifinals, knocking off top-seeded Oklahoma Christian 4-0 in the first game of the day to clinch the top spot in the tournament's Pool A before picking up another win against #8 Trinity Christian to conclude pool play. FPU will face the host school, #7 Cedarville, tomorrow at 11 am local time (8 am Pacific). The winner advances to the national title game at 5 pm local time to face the winner of Pool B champion #3 Lee (Tenn.) and the Pool A runner-up #9 Shorter.

A pair of Hanford natives got it done for the Sunbirds in the first game as starting pitcher Eian Raeber tossed a two-hit shutout to earn the victory and third baseman Michael Hostetler went 2-for-3 with two RBI and the game's only extra base hit, a double that gave FPU a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Raeber continued what's been an incredible second half to the season, picking up his seventh win which ties him for the team high.

"Eian was outstanding today," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "He was searching for his feel the first half of the game but he kept grinding and once he settled in it was a beauty to watch. He's done such a great job of making adjustments this year and working with our pitching coach Bob Jacobsen. He has such great stuff and attacks the zone."

FPU's lineup went up against OCU ace pitcher Brandon Pierce, a Nebraska transfer with 10 wins on the season. The Sunbird hitters were patient and came up big in crucial situations all day, highlighted by Hostetler's two-run double in the fourth. Hostetler also added some excitement on the basepaths, pulling off a steal of home to put FPU ahead 3-0 in the fourth. Third base coach Matt Souza perfectly read the play as the OCU pitcher had consistently ignored the runner on third base. Hostetler got a huge jump as a result to take OCU by complete surprise and slide in before the catcher's tag. The win eliminated OCU from the tournament.

With the semifinal spot already locked up, FPU opted to use six different pitchers in the second game to save arms for tomorrow's games. The six pitchers, including reserve outfielder Kevin Magill, combined for a five-hit shutout of the Trolls with freshman Austin Tatum tossing four scoreless out of the bullpen to earn the win. Travis Beck and McKay France had two hits apiece in the victory. Michael Tittle ended the game on a phenomenal leaping grab on a ball that would have otherwise dropped into centerfield for TCC's first run of the day.

"The game four win was big even though it didn't affect the standings because it was important to keep our momentum going and keep up our energy," said Hirschkorn. "I was really impressed with each of the guys who pitched today and now they all have experience pitching on a World Series mound and will be ready to go tomorrow if they're called upon."

FPU managed to get out of pool play without having to use NCCAA West Region Pitcher of the Year Wilson Ashford, who will take the hill tomorrow against Cedarville. The Sunbirds have thrown three consecutive shutouts and have now won 21 of their last 25 games.

"Our guys are playing with so much focus right now and are really encouraging each other," said Hirschkorn. "We've got 18 innings of baseball left and the guys are ready to keep this momentum going for one more day."