FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University baseball team opened the season on Saturday, falling 4-1 in the front end of a doubleheader before rebounding with a 6-3 victory over Stanislaus State.
 
"I believe in this team, and we're going to spend our non-conference schedule trying to figure out our team," head coach Oscar Hirschkorn said. "I was pleased with the energy and fight of our team today, and it was important for us to be able to get one today."
 
The Sunbirds gave the ball to sophomore Trent Ashford for the first start of the year, and he responded with a strong performance. The righthander tossed 6.2 innings while surrendering just two runs and inducing nine groundouts.
 
Tanner Irwin was the first man out of the Sunbird pen, facing seven batters before handing it over to Nic Garcia for the final four outs. FPU's offense provided Ashford with little support, however, as Baron Bower scored the lone run of the game on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.
 
Infielders Joey Gallegos and Hunter Villanueva each contributed a pair of hits, as did newcomer Braden Frankfort. Gallegos' second-inning triple and Bower's double in the eighth were the only extra base hits for FPU in the opener, as Warrior starter Jordan Kron earned his first victory of the season.
 
Each starter struggled in the nightcap, as Josh Acosta and Warrior starter Robbie Devries combined for just 6.2, making it a battle of bullpens. Carson Schellenberg provided strong relief for FPU, delivering 4.1 innings of one-hit baseball en route to picking up the win in his collegiate debut.
 
Tyler Rumbaugh struck out the side in the eighth, paving the way for closer Matt Bergandi to shut the door in the ninth and earn his first save. Nate Case led the offensive charge for the Blue and Orange, tallying three RBI from the second slot in the batting order.
 
The other three RBI came from some familiar names, as Gallegos, Bower, and Frankfort each drove in a run to help the Sunbirds earn the split. Jarrett Veiga took the loss for Stanislaus State after allowing two earned runs in the sixth inning.
 
The Sunbirds and Warriors will face a quick turnaround, as they are set to return to action with another doubleheader on Sunday morning. First pitch at Warrior Baseball Field in Turlock is slated for 10:00 am.