FRESNO, Calif. – Freshman Rickie Garcia's eight strong innings on the mound gave Fresno Pacific a series win over Hawaii Pacific, as the Sunbirds downed the Sharks 7-6 in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader. HPU followed with a 10-4 win in extra innings to avoid the sweep.
 
FPU won the PacWest series 3-1 against the Sharks and sits at 20-21 overall and 15-12 in league action. HPU moves to 27-15 overall and 17-13 in league play.
 
In the opener, the Sunbirds scored four runs in the seventh inning to earn the win. Nick Pate delivered the go-ahead RBI in the seventh with a ground-out, while Preston Scott drove in the tying runs with a two-RBI single a batter earlier.
 
Scott finished 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Hunter Villanueva was 1-for-4 with two RBI. Leo Carrillo extended his hitting streak to 18 games with two hits and added an RBI and two runs.
 
Garcia picked up the win for the Sunbirds after firing 8.0 innings, allowing one earned run. Pate came in with the trying run on second and escaped a bases-loaded jam to earn his sixth save of the season and third of the series.
 
Tyler Van Stone took the loss for the Sharks in relief, while Tyler Tokunaga led the offense with two hits and two RBI.
 
The Sunbirds then rallied in the nightcap with four runs in the final three frames to force extras. The final run came against HPU closer Brandon Bonilla, who hadn't allowed an earned run all season in the bottom of the seventh. The Sharks, however, answered in the top of the ninth with six runs to earn the win. FPU couldn't overcome six errors on the evening.
 
Carrillo led FPU with two hits to extend his hitting streak to 19 games, while Preston Scott added two hits and an RBI.
 
Matt Bergandi made his first career pitching appearance out of the bullpen and took the loss for the Sunbirds, throwing 2.0 innings while allowing three runs (one earned). Freshman Josh Acosta got the start and was sharp into the fifth, allowing four runs (none earned) and striking out three.
 
William Leskovec's three hits led the Sharks. Ethan Kalin picked up the win in relief.
 
FPU is back in action at home next week against nationally-ranked California Baptist. The Sunbirds begin a four-game set on Wednesday, April 27 at 6 p.m.