Fresno Pacific outlasted defending NCAA West Region champion Chico State 2-1 in a 10-inning pitcher's duel on Friday night. The Sunbirds (5-1) were held scoreless for the first eight innings and were down to their final strike in the bottom of the ninth before Nick Pate delivered a game-tying two-out RBI single to send the game to extra innings.

In the bottom of the 10th, Nico Payan singled up the middle to start the inning followed by a McKay France walk. After a sacrifice bunt, Michael Tittle was intentionally walked. After a pop up to centerfield was too shallow to score the runner from third, Preston Scott delivered his second walk-off of the season, drawing a four-pitch walk to seal the win.

Wilson Ashford put together a gem for the Sunbirds despite getting a no-decision. The senior lefty went eight innings surrendering just three hits and an unearned run while striking out nine. Chico State ace Luke Barker matched him, tossing seven scoreless innings for the Wildcats (0-1). Torgen Suderland took the loss in relief.

Kyle Rasmussen earned the win in relief for FPU, tossing two scoreless innings. John Koretoff finished 2-for-3 in the victory. With the Sunbirds down to their final out, trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Koretoff battled back to draw a walk. After a wild pitch put the runner in scoring position, Pate delivered a line shot to left field that scored the tying run without a throw.

Chico State, ranked #1 in the West Region and #6 nationally in NCAA Division II, became the highest ranked team that FPU has knocked off since the Sunbirds joined NCAA Division II in 2012.

The Sunbirds and Wildcats complete the series with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 11 am. FPU's signing day event for newest Sunbird Emilio Gomez will take place prior to the game at 10 am. Read more about Emilio's journey with FPU Baseball and Team IMPACT here