Fresno Pacific took on NCAA Division II #16-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay on Tuesday, going toe-to-toe with the Otters but ultimately falling 5-2. A couple of costly mental errors proved to be the difference for the Sunbirds, who have dropped six straight.

Austin Tatum provided a bright spot for FPU, getting the team out of a jam in the fifth inning and tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out five out of the bullpen to keep the team within striking distance. Josh Medeles started for the Sunbirds but had some tough breaks in the fifth inning as he was unable to cleanly field a bunt, hit the next batter, then had a routine fly ball get lost in the lights for a single to load the bases for CSUMB's most dangerous hitter, Kevin Davidson, who delivered a bases-clearing double.

Davidson led the Otters, who improved to 11-1 on the year, by finishing 3-for-4 with three doubles and four RBI. Nick Milone earned the win in relief and Kyle Narahara recorded the save.

Preston Scott and Nick Pate each doubled and collected two hits apiece for FPU. Tristen Alvarez went 2-for-2 after coming on as a sub.

The Sunbirds had a chance to make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on second and third, one out and Scott on deck. However a baserunning blunder after a wild pitch resulted in the runner on third being tagged out for the second out and Leo Carrillo worked a full count before flying out to left to end the game.

FPU begins PacWest play next week, traveling to the Bay Area to take on Academy of Art.