FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific baseball team split a PacWest Conference doubleheader on Friday, falling 16-2 in the opener before bouncing back with a 9-6 win over Concordia.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Game 1: Concordia 16, Fresno Pacific 2
Game 2: Fresno Pacific 9, Concordia 6
Records: FPU (8-15, 4-6 PacWest), Concordia (13-16, 8-6 PacWest)
Location: FPU Diamond | Fresno, Calif.
Series: Concordia leads 26-20
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• A two-out bunt single got the Eagles on the board first in the opener, but Jared Aguilar bounced into a fielder's choice to tie the game in the home half.  
• The floodgates opened over the next several innings, as Concordia totaled 11 runs in their next four trips to the plate. 
• Bodie Vegely launched a pinch-hit home run over the wall in right in the eight for his first hit in a Sunbird uniform. 
• The Eagles added four in the ninth inning before the Sunbirds were finally able to record the final out. 
• After starter Nic Boatman retired the side in order to start the game, the Sunbird offense wasted no time in going to work. Michael Warkentin and Tristen Alvarez opened the home first with back-to-back-singles before an Aguilar double plated them both. 
• Trent Greene picked up a two-out RBI hit an inning later to push the Sunbird lead to 3-0, but the Eagles were able to tie the game in the fourth.
• FPU picked up five straight hits to post a big fifth, going up by three runs after RBI knocks from Aguilar, Matt McGrady and Garrett Cooper.
• Concordia again refused to go quietly, chasing Boatman from the game in the eighth inning and tying the game once more.
• Greene opened the home half with a rocket to left-center, ending up on third base as the go-ahead run.
• Warkentin followed with a hit by pitch, and after a Concordia pitching change, Alvarez doubled to left to put the Blue and Orange on top for good.
• Aguilar doubled off the top off the wall to trade places with Alvarez and provide an insurance run, pushing the lead to 9-6.
• The Eagles made some noise in the ninth, but Cooper came on from left to leave the tying run at the plate after striking out the only two batters he faced.
 
STATS FROM THE DAY
• Freshman Garret Laine picked up the first two hits of his college career in the opener, while Alvarez was the only other Sunbird with multiple hits.
• In a game that was ugly early on for the 'Birds, starter Esteban Lizaola's four innings were the shortest outing of his career.
• Four relievers saw action in Game 1, with Fabian Galvan and Kobie Anton combining for 1.2 innings of work and no earned runs.
• Seven different Sunbirds turned in a multi-hit game in the nightcap, highlighted by Aguilar's 3-for-4, four-RBI effort. 
• The reigning PacWest Pitcher of the Week, Boatman again gave the Sunbirds 7.2 innings and struck out nine Eagle hitters. 
• Tyler Rumbaugh earned the win after overcoming two hits out of the bullpen, while Cooper earned his third save of the year. 
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Friday's Game 2 saw the Sunbirds rack up a season-best 19 hits as a team.   
• Aguilar has reached base in eight straight games, the longest streak on the squad.
• Cooper has only allowed one earned run over his last five combined outings.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds and Eagles are set to wrap up the series with another doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from FPU Diamond is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.