FRESNO, Calif. --Though they had plenty of opportunities, Fresno Pacific struggled cashing them in, leaving multiple runners on base in a 8-5 loss in game one and a 18-3 defeat in game two at the hands of the Azusa Pacific Sunbirds Thursday afternoon. 

In game one, Azusa Pacific jumped out to an early putting four runs on the board in the first four innings. 

The Sunbirds responded in the fifth with a two run home run from Andrew Valdez, his team-leading 11th of the season, giving the 'Birds their first runs of the game. 

Following that up in the sixth, Joshua Pernetti smashed a solo home run to center field to bring FPU back within one 4-3. 

The Cougars responded with four runs in the eighth extending their lead. 

A single from Trent Mallonee would allow two Sunbirds to score, but it proved too little too late as the 'Birds dropped game one 8-5.

In game two, the Cougars piled on the runs quickly taking an eight run lead in the first inning and adding more insurance runs in the third and fourth. 

A single from Tommy Rover finally put the 'Birds on the scoreboard in the fourth with a lone run, followed by a double from A. Valdez and a single from Isiah Clark to add two more for FPU. 

APU added six more runs in the sixth shutting the Sunbirds out for the remainder of the game as they took game two in seven innings 18-3.

The Sunbirds will look to positively respond Saturday as they head down to Azusa to finish the series with the Cougars.

First pitch of the double header is scheduled for 12pm with game two to follow at approximately 3pm. 

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