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MASON, Ohio – Fresno Pacific won its second consecutive National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series title Saturday, as the Sunbirds defeated Lee (Tenn.) 6-2 at Prasco Park. Michael Hostetler and Steven Lozier provided the offense while Josh Medeles earned the win on the hill for FPU.
 
The World Series title marks the program's second national championship. FPU's first title came last year at the NCCAA World Series against the same opponent, Lee.
 
FPU concludes the year at 39-18-1 overall, which ties an all-time program high for wins. The Sunbirds set the record in 2009 and also reached the mark last season during their World Series run. Lee, a former NAIA baseball power that has since made the move to NCAA Division II with the Sunbirds, ends its season at 39-19-1.
 
"I'm so happy for these guys and couldn't be more proud of this group," said head coach Oscar Hirschkorn. "Every single guy contributed to this. There were so many big moments throughout our run and someone different came through every time. It couldn't have happened to a better group, and I'm thankful they got to experience this feeling. Lee is a solid program and a very well coached team. To win a championship against a team of that caliber is impressive."
 
For the second consecutive year, Medeles found himself on the biggest stage as the starting pitcher for FPU. The junior lefty delivered again with a quality start, tossing 6.1 innings while only allowing two runs. He scattered 10 hits and struck out four in his second career World Series win. Drew Merlo closed out the final 2.2 innings with three strikeouts to seal the victory. The senior lefty had thrown 8.0 innings just three days prior.
 
"Two years in a row Josh has come up big for us," said Hirschkorn. "You want to be known as a guy that rises to the occasion, and Josh is that type of pitcher. He threw a great game and Drew was phenomenal out of the bullpen, making big pitch after big pitch."
 
Michael Hostetler, who finished the day 3-for-3 with three RBI, led the Sunbirds offensively. Steven Lozier added a two-run homer, Michael Tittle was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Baron Bower collected two hits and scored two runs.
 
The Sunbirds opened the scoring in the second inning after Preston Scott led off with a double to center and was brought home by a Hostetler RBI single. Lozier added two more runs in the third with an opposite field home run to put the Sunbirds ahead 3-0.
 
After Lee jumped on the scoreboard with a solo home run from Ben Holland in the fourth, FPU answered with three runs in the fifth. Tittle singled home McKay France and Hostetler delivered a two-run double down the left field line to make the score 6-1.
 
Lee added a run in the sixth, but wouldn't come any closer. The Flames left 10 runners on base.
 
"Our defensive was a difference maker today," noted Hirschkorn. "Right in the first inning, Hostetler made a great play on the line drive to turn a double play. It switched the momentum completely to our side and put us back on stride. Everybody made great plays all over the field, a true championship effort."
 
The Sunbirds went 5-0-1 at the World Series tournament and outscored their opponents 34-10. FPU hit .282 as a team and totaled four homers and 15 doubles. The pitching staff sported a 1.42 ERA and struck out 50 batters.
 
Tittle was named the NCCAA World Series Most Outstanding Player after hitting .333 with five RBI, including a walk-off RBI single in FPU's extra-inning semifinal win. Bower was placed on the All-Tournament team after hitting .462 and scoring nine runs.
 
"You can't have a successful program without a great group of guys, a great support staff and a supportive community," said Hirschkorn. "Each one of our assistants made this possible with all their work and sacrifice. The heart they have for the student-athletes is unbelievable. I can't thank our family members who made it to Ohio to support us enough, to win in front of them makes it even more gratifying."
 
The Sunbirds graduate 12 seniors from the most successful group to play under Hirschkorn.