FRESNO, Calif.- It was tale of two different games Sunday, one marked by strong pitching and the other strong hitting as the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds split a pair of games with the Hawai'i Pacific Sharks to split the series 2-2. 

GAME ONE

After a quiet first inning, the second frame saw Fresno Pacific break through against the Shark's starting pitcher Enrique Espinoza. The inning started with Roman Rosales reaching base on an error by the left fielder, setting the stage for a big inning. A well-executed sacrifice bunt from Jacob Solorio moved Rosales into scoring position. Chris Clement was then hit by a pitch, and the Sunbirds wasted no time taking advantage of their base runners.

With the runners in motion, Gavin Enns worked a walk to load the bases. Catcher Jordan Smith came through with a massive bases-clearing triple, driving in three runs to give the Sunbirds a 3-0 lead. Brett Carrel followed up with a sacrifice fly, adding another run to push the lead to 4-0 before Hawai'i Pacific could escape the inning.

Right-hander Connor Semone took the mound for the 'Birds and delivered a brilliant outing. The junior ace stifled the Hawai'i Pacific offense for eight and a third innings, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out nine. Semone worked efficiently through the lineup, keeping hitters off balance with a mix of fastballs and breaking pitches.

The Shark's lone run came in the eighth inning when Noah Blythe singled and later came around to score on a fielder's choice, but by then, Semone had already cemented his dominance. After giving up a single in the ninth, Semone handed off the ball to Matt Bettencourt, who recorded the final two outs to seal the victory and earn his first save of the season.

Despite being outhit 8-7, the Sunbirds' early offensive outburst and dominant pitching secured the 4-1 win. The Sunbirds played a flawless defensive game, committing no errors, while Hawai'i Pacific's lone error proved costly in the second inning. 

GAME TWO

Saving the best for last, game two was an absolute thriller, as the Sunbirds found themselves on the wrong end of a high-scoring battle, falling to the Sharks 10-9 in a game that saw a combined 20 hits and 19 runs. After a disastrous start that saw the Sunbirds fall behind 8-0 in the second inning, they clawed their way back into contention with a massive offensive outburst. However, they fell just short, as Hawai'i Pacific managed to push across the game-winning run in the sixth.

The Sharks wasted no time jumping on Fresno Pacific's pitching staff. After scoring a quick run in the first inning, they erupted for seven runs in the second, capitalizing on defensive miscues and clutch hitting.

The inning started with back-to-back singles from Skyler Agnew and Troy Harding. Ethan Murako followed with an infield single, and a throwing error allowed two runs to score. Noah Blythe delivered an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly by Bronson Rive extended the lead. Daniel Johns then drove in another run with a single before Tyler Arnold's sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 8-0, seemingly putting the game out of reach.

Despite trailing 8-0, the Sunbirds refused to go down quietly, as they got on the board in the bottom of the second when Shane Pursell doubled home a run to make it 8-1.

The fourth and fifth innings saw the 'Birds erupt offensively. The Sunbirds put up four runs in the fourth, highlighted by a bases-loaded walk, an RBI single from Chris Clement, and a wild pitch that allowed another run to score.

In the fifth, Jacob Solorio delivered the biggest hit of the game and the series for Fresno Pacific, launching a three-run home run over the left-field wall to tie the game at 9-9. The Sunbirds had erased an eight-run deficit and had all the momentum heading into the final innings.

With the game tied, Hawai'i Pacific responded in the top of the sixth as Daniel Johns led off with a walk and later advanced on a failed pick-off attempt. With one out, Skyler Agnew delivered the decisive blow, ripping an RBI single to left field, putting the Sharks back in front 10-9.

From there, the Sunbirds struggled to generate offense against reliever Ryan Inouye, who held them scoreless over the final two innings to secure the win for Hawai'i Pacific, tying the series 2-2. 

UP NEXT

The Sunbirds will play mid-week baseball as they host the Chaminade Silverswords for a three day series, starting on Wednesday with first pitch schedule for 5pm. 

SUNBIRD SOCIAL 

X - @fpusunbirds 
Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
Facebook - /FPUsunbirds