Fresno Pacific hammered out 28 hits on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader from Hawaii Hilo to take three out of four in the series. The Sunbirds improved to 8-7 in PacWest play, 13-16 overall. The Vulcans dropped to 4-17, 3-15 in PacWest play.
Game 1 - Fresno Pacific 9, Hawaii Hilo 3FPU had 17 hits and
Rickie Garcia dominated on the mound as the Sunbirds defeated visiting Hawaii Hilo 9-3 in game one of today's doubleheader.
Preston Scott went 2-for-5 with a double, RBI and two runs scored to extend his hitting streak to 23 games.
Garcia earned the win by going eight innings, surrendering just two earned runs and striking out nine.
Nick Pate finished 4-for-5 with an RBI,
Hunter Villanueva went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI and
Leo Carrillo went 3-for-5.
Morgan West suffered the loss for UHH. Kyle Yamada led the Vulcans at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a two-run triple.
Game 2 - Fresno Pacific 6, Hawaii Hilo 1The Sunbirds cruised to victory in game two behind a strong pitching performance from
Davy Vartanian, making his first career start on the mound for FPU.
Vartanian, who entered the night with one relief appearance on the season, tossed five shutout innings allowing just three hits and striking out three.
Kyle Rasmussen finished off the victory with two innings out of the bullpen.
Nick Pate led the Sunbirds offensively with a 2-for-4, two RBI performance, while
Derek Arkelian added a hit and two RBI.
Preston Scott also collected two hits and an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to 24 games.
Tristen Alvarez and
McKay France each finished with two hits apiece as well.
UHH's Eric Vega was tagged with the loss on the mound after allowing five runs in 4.2 innings of work. Michael Jenkerson added two hits and a run for the Vulcans.
FPU travels to #24 Dixie State next week for a four-game conference series. Game one is scheduled for Thursday, March 31 at 6 p.m. in St. George, Utah.
