FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific opened the 2025 season splitting a doubleheader with California State University Dominguez Hills at FPU's Dan Martin Stadium. Game one went to the Toros 15-4, but the Sunbirds were able to rebound and take game two 7-5. The games marked the first ever played at FPU's brand new ballpark.
GAME 1
Dominguez Hills opened the scoring in game one with a solo homer by Emilios Barrera in the top of the second. The Sunbirds responded by putting a run on the board themselves as
Roman Rosales singled and advanced to third before
Aaron Martinez Jr. drove him in with a double to center field, tying the game at 1-1. The inning ended with no further runs, but the Sunbirds showed resilience early on.
Dominguez Hills took control in the third inning, scoring four runs on three homers from Noah Karliner, Jacob Pfitzner, and a second from Barrera. The fourth saw them add three more runs off a Karliner RBI and Quinn Johnson two-run shot.
In the seventh inning, the Sunbirds managed to add another run to their tally, making the score 11-2. Rosales reached third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by
Chris Clement, narrowing the gap slightly.
The Sunbirds closed the game on a positive note in the ninth inning, with
Shane Pursell hitting a two-run homer down the left-field line. This brought the final score to 15-4. Despite the challenging game, the Sunbirds ended the contest with a late display of offensive power. Overall, the teams combined for seven home runs in the first game.
Josiah O'Bannon pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and six runs, five of which were earned, while striking out three and walking one.
Josh Moreno contributed 2 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and four earned runs, with two strikeouts and no walks. Jacob Turley pitched one inning without allowing a hit but surrendered one earned run on three walks, also recording one strikeout.
Jordan VerSteeg allowed four earned runs on three hits in one inning of work, with two walks and no strikeouts. Finally,
Matt Bettencourt closed the game with one scoreless inning, allowing no hits and striking out one.
Gavin Enns made a notable debut as a freshman, recording a hit in his sole at-bat and contributing two assists in the field. Rosales led the team with two runs scored and added a hit and a strikeout in his three at-bats. Pursell stood out with a home run, two RBIs, and a perfect 1-for-1 performance at the plate, contributing significantly to the offensive efforts.
GAME TWO
The Toros capitalized on an error by FPU in the first inning, allowing Jared Anderson to advance and eventually score an unearned run off starter
Tim Ruiz on Alex Sepulveda's RBI single. The Toros recorded one hit and left one runner on base, taking an early 1-0 lead.
Fast forward to the fourth, and the Sunbirds capitalized on three hits and an error by the Toros to score two runs, surpassing the visitors' single unearned run.
Gabe Henderson and Tejean Smoth both singled and scored, with
Micah Barkenhagen and and Clement driving in the runs. Despite committing one error, the Sunbirds limited the Toros to just one run on one hit, maintaining control by stranding two runners on base.
Toros pitchers were unable to control the game and allowed the Sunbirds to plate five runs on just one hit. The inning was marked by four walks, two wild pitches, and a hit-by-pitch, contributing to the scoring. Despite striking out three times, the Sunbirds efficiently converted opportunities, leaving two runners on base.
The Toros would answer in the sixth with a three-run inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Karliner off 'Birds reliever
Cameron Gallardo. It was not enough to level the game before heading to the seventh and final inning of the two-game doubleheader.
Dylan Senneway came in to close and delivered a strong performance, striking out three Toro batters looking. It was a dominant ending to a wild game and memorable evening at Dan Martin Stadium.
Smith led the 'Birds with two runs scored and an RBI, while also recording a hit and a walk. Rosales contributed with an RBI and a run scored, drawing a walk and reaching base on an error despite not recording a hit. Henderson added to the offense with a hit and a run, while also grounding out twice. Ruiz earned the win, pitching five dazzling innings without allowing an earned run, striking out seven, and allowing four hits. Senneway's three K's earned him his first save of the year.
Tim Ruiz started on the mound for the Sunbirds and earned the win, pitching 5 innings and allowing 4 hits with 2 unearned runs. Ruiz struck out 7 batters while walking 3, demonstrating control by not allowing any earned runs. C. Gallardo pitched 1 inning in relief, giving up 3 earned runs on 1 hit, including a home run, while issuing 2 walks.
Dylan Senneway closed out the game with a save, pitching a hitless inning and striking out all 3 batters he faced, allowing just one walk.
UP NEXT
The Sunbirds and Toros will face off in the rubber match Saturday afternoon at Dan Martin Stadium. First pitch is set for 12 noon, and will be simulcasted on the PacWest Network and ESPN 790 AM.
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