HILO, Hawai'i - It was an offensive explosion for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds Friday as they took the first two of a the four-game series agains the Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans at James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Francis Wong Stadium.
GAME ONE
In game one, The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds unleashed an offensive barrage and received strong pitching to secure a commanding 12-2 victory. Behind a relentless lineup and a solid outing from starting pitcher
Josiah O'Bannon, the 'Birds took control early and never looked back.
The Sunbirds wasted no time putting pressure on the Vulcans, striking in the very first inning.
Micah Barkenhagen set the tone with a lead-off solo home run to give Fresno Pacific an early 1-0 lead. That quick spark was just the beginning of a dominant performance at the plate.
The second inning proved to be a decisive moment in the game, as the Sunbirds erupted for a staggering seven runs, capitalizing on timely hitting and shaky pitching from the Vulcans. The inning started with Roman Rosales lacing a double to left field, followed by Tejean Smith tripling down the right-field line to bring Rosales home. Jordan Smith kept the momentum going with an RBI double of his own, making it 3-0. After a single from Gabe Henderson and a sacrifice fly from Barkenhagen to extend the lead to 4-0, the Sunbirds continued to apply pressure.
With three runners aboard, Aaron Martinez Jr. delivered the knockout blow: a towering grand slam over the left field fence, breaking the game wide open at 8-0. The 'Birds chased Hawai'i Hilo starter Ethan Salscheider after just 1.2 innings, as he surrendered eight runs on eight hits.
On the mound, O'Bannon delivered a strong performance, holding Hawai'i Hilo scoreless through the first inning before working around some trouble in the second. The Vulcans managed to push across two runs in the bottom of the second on a two RBI single, but those runs were unearned due to a fielding error. O'Bannon settled in from there, working efficiently through five innings while allowing just five hits, two unearned runs, and striking out four on 81 pitches.
The 'Birds bullpen took over in the sixth and continued the dominance, with Harry Tooze and Evan Fanconi combining for two scoreless innings to close out the game.
The Sunbirds' bats remained hot in the later innings, adding three more runs in the fifth. After a lead-off walk by A. Martinez Jr., Austin Cappas, and Rosales laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. The 'Birds capitalized on wild pitches and timely hitting, bringing the lead to 11-2.
In the seventh, the Sunbirds tacked on one final run when Gavin Enns doubled down the left-field line, advanced to third on a balk, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Darryl Dilworth Jr. sealing the 12-2 victory by run rule in seven innings.
The Sunbirds looked to carry their offensive momentum into the second game of the series.
GAME TWO
The Sunbirds wasted no time putting pressure on the Vulcan's starter Luke Dickson, striking quickly in the top of the first. Barkenhagen led off the game by getting hit by a pitch, then immediately put himself into scoring position by stealing second. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and then came home to score on a balk, giving the Sunbirds a quick 1-0 lead.
After Trent Mallonee drew a walk, Martinez Jr. delivered an RBI single down the right-field line, bringing Mallonee home to extend the lead to 2-0. Moments later, Cappas lined a double down the right-field line, setting up Rosales, who followed with an RBI double of his own to make it 3-0.
Hawai'i Hilo responded in the bottom of the first with their only offensive highlight of the night—a solo home run from Mason Cook—but that was all they could muster against the Sunbirds's pitching.
Fresno Pacific extended its lead in the second inning, capitalizing on more defensive mistakes by the Vulcans. Ethan Tsui was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, and Henderson followed with a single through the left side. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Chris Clement lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Tsui for the 4-1 advantage.
With Henderson on third, Mallonee came through with an RBI single through the left side making it 5-1.
After a scoreless third inning, the Sunbirds tacked on another run in the fourth when Barkenhagen singled and later came around to score on a double by Clement, stretching the lead to 6-1.
On the mound, Tim Ruiz was in complete control, shutting down the Vulcan's offense over 6.1 innings. The right-hander scattered five hits, allowed just one run, and struck out eight, while working efficiently through the lineup. He navigated through a few minor threats but consistently induced weak contact, keeping Hawai'i Hilo off balance all night.
The Sunbirds' defense also played a major role, turning two key double plays and limiting Hawaii Hilo's opportunities to climb back into the game.
The Sunbirds blew the game open in the sixth inning, putting up a three-run frame that erased any doubt about the outcome. Mallonee and Martinez reached base to start the inning, prompting the Vulcans to go to the bullpen. The pitching change however, did little to slow down the Sunbirds, as Jacob Solorio came through with a clutch two-run single, extending to 8-1.
On the next play, Tejean Smith laid down a perfectly executed bunt single, scoring Fukuki who had pinch-run for Cappas pushing the lead to 9-1.
After Ruiz exited in the seventh, Andrew Barger came in and slammed the door, retiring the final two batters to complete the victory for the 'Birds, 9-1.
UP NEXT
The Sunbirds will play two more tomorrow at at James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Francis Wong Stadium to finish the series. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 5pm PST.
SUNBIRD SOCIAL
X - @fpusunbirds
Instagram - @fpusunbirds
Facebook - /FPUsunbirds
#TeamFPU
