FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific baseball team was tripped up in Friday's series opener, falling 14-2 to Sonoma State at FPU Diamond.    
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Sonoma State 14, Fresno Pacific 2
Records: SSU (4-0), FPU (1-3)
Location: FPU Diamond | Fresno, Calif.   
All-Time Series: Tied 4-4
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Seawolves started each of the first two innings with a single to right, but FPU started Esteban Lizaola turned in five strikeouts in that span to hold SSU scoreless.
•  Sonoma State broke through in the third with a solo shot from centerfielder Bryce Nagata before Grant St. Martin followed with a two-run blast of his own an inning later.
• First baseman Jake Sahagian capped a five-run sixth with a grand slam down the line in right to give the Seawolves a 9-0 advantage.
• Fresno Pacific got on the board in the home half but wasn't able to muster more than one after stranding the bases loaded.
• Adam Aleman opened the home seventh with a double, and Tristen Alvarez' single up the middle brought him home for FPU's final run.
• Sonoma State never let up, tacking on five more runs over the final two innings.
• Despite nine strikeouts, Lizaola took the loss for the home nine after allowing three earned runs over five innings.
• Tyler Rumbaugh was the lone Sunbird reliever to record a final frame, whiffing two in the top of the ninth.
• Dominic Garihan took home his first win of the year after surrendering just one hit and fanning four over five innings of work.
• Nagata and Sahagian carried the big bats for Sonoma State, combining to go 5-for-8 with 6 RBI.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Aleman's double held up as the only extra base hit for FPU.
• Frankfort has hit safely in all four games to start the season, making him the only Sunbird with that claim.
• Sonoma State has won their first four games for the second year in a row, and all four have been against PacWest Conference opponents.
 
ON DECK:
• The Seawolves and Sunbirds are slated to wrap up the series with a twin bill on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.