CHICO, Calif.-Despite leading at two different points in the ballgame, a three-run sixth inning cost the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (3-2 overall) in a 6-5 loss to the Chico State Wildcats (2-2 overall) Friday afternoon in the first game of a three-game series at Nettleton Stadium.

Miguel Ortiz drove in three runs from the cleanup spot while the top three hitters in the FPU lineup had multi-hit days but the Sunbirds couldn't overcome Chico's sixth inning rally.

The 'Birds struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on a string of Wildcat errors.

Sunbird starter Justin Fuson worked around some early wildness to keep Chico State quiet in the bottom of the inning, utilizing a caught-stealing and a pick-off.

The Wildcats scored single runs in each of the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th to take the lead.

The top of the FPU lineup responded in the 5^th when Koutarou Matsumaru reached on an infield single. Tommy Rover and Andrew Valdez both singled, with the latter bringing home Matsumaru to tie the game.

Ortiz's sacrifice fly scored Rover to regain the lead for Fresno Pacific.

Fresno Pacific reliever Jaylen Rodriguez came on in the fourth and had limited Chico State into the sixth inning before a pair of one out singles setup a three-run homer for the Wildcats.

The Sunbirds immediately responded in the top of the 7^th by loading the bases with nobody out. Ortiz delivered another sacrifice fly to pull within one.

But that would be as close as it would get as FPU left two runners on base.

Rodriguez ended getting the tough-luck loss as the blemish was enough despite 4.1 innings without any other runs allowed.

The Sunbirds outhit Chico State 11-9 but free passes exceeded those that they were given on offense.

Fresno Pacific and Chico State conclude the three-game series with a double-header at Nettleton Stadium beginning at noon on Saturday.

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