FRESNO, Calif.  – The Fresno Pacific University baseball team earned a doubleheader split on Friday night, dropping the opener against Dixie State 5-1 before claiming the nightcap by a tally of 4-3.

"It was an interesting day with a lot of ups and downs, so it was cool to see how it all came together for us. We're a late-inning team that knows how to rally, and it's fun to watch," closer Matt Bergandi said. "Everything starts with good dugout energy for us, and if everyone can continue to play their role, we like our chances."  

The 21st-ranked Trailblazers scored in four of the first five innings on Friday afternoon, and the Sunbird offense never got comfortable against DSU starter Mason Hilty. The righthander went the distance in the victory, scattering three Sunbird hits and allowing just one unearned run while fanning nine.

Jonathan Molina took the loss for the home nine after five innings of work, and lefty reliever Nic Garcia was able to finish out the game on the mound. Michael Warkentin, Eddie Sievers, and Braden Frankfort provided all the FPU offense in the opener, with Warkentin scoring the lone run of the game in the third inning.

The Trailblazers struck first in the first inning of the series' third game before the Sunbirds answered with a run of their own in the home half. DSU leftfielder brought home a run with a sac fly in the second before hitting a solo home run to give the Trailblazers a 3-1 lead in the fifth.

Robby Steves delivered an RBI single in the home fifth to bring the Sunbirds within a run, and Warkentin plated the equalizer an inning later with a suicide squeeze bunt. Hunter Villanueva drew a bases loaded walk that brought in Tristen Alvarez, and the Blue and Orange carried a 4-3 edge into the final inning.

Closer Matt Bergandi overcame a one-out walk to pick up his second save of the series, simultaneously preserving Tyler Rumbaugh's first career win. Rumbaugh retired the side in order in the sixth after Nic Boatman gave the Sunbirds five innings on the mound.

Warkentin finished with three hits atop the FPU lineup, while Villanueva, Steves, and Baron Bower recorded two hits apiece. In the two Sunbird wins of the series so far, the team has combined for 21 hits and 12 runs, one of their most productive offensive outputs of the year.

Fresno Pacific will look for the series win on Saturday, when the two teams will wrap up the season series. First pitch from FPU Diamond is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.