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Evan Hernandez
1
Winner Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 10-10
0
Vanguard VANGUARD 8-11
Winner
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P
10-10
1
Final
0
Vanguard VANGUARD
8-11
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 0
Vanguard VANGUARD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

W: O'Bannon, Josiah (3-2) L: S. Edmondson (2-3) S: Watson, Austin (1)

3
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 10-11
4
Winner Vanguard VANGUARD 9-11
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P
10-11
3
Final
4
Vanguard VANGUARD
9-11
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 8 1
Vanguard VANGUARD 1 2 0 0 0 1 X 4 9 1

W: Da. Henson (1-0) L: Ruiz, Tim (2-3) S: J. Morales (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

'Birds Spilt a Pair Against Lions

COSTA MESA, Calif.- It was a tale of two different games as the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds split the day one double-header against the Vanguard Lions Friday at Dean Harvery Field. 

GAME ONE

In game one, senior Josiah O'Bannon, delivered a masterful performance, going 8.1 innings of shutout baseball allowing just one hit, walking five, and striking out two. O'Bannon's ability to navigate high-pressure situations kept the Lions off the scoreboard, despite several innings where Vanguard threatened to break through.

For much of the game, both teams struggled to generate any offense against dominant starting pitching. Vanguard's Spencer Edmonson matched O'Bannon pitch-for-pitch, working efficiently through the Sunbirds' lineup. He tossed eight innings, allowing six hits and one unearned run, striking out three and walking three.

With the score locked at 0-0 heading into the top of the eighth, Fresno Pacific finally found an opportunity. Trent Mallonee, who had been the Sunbird's most consistent hitter all game, led off the inning with a single to center field, marking his third hit of the game. The game's pivotal moment came when Edmondson attempted a pick-off at second base, but an errant throw allowed Mallonee to advance to third base.

With a runner on third and one out, Austin Cappas lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, deep enough to allow Mallonee to tag up and cross home plate for the game's only run. 

As the game entered the bottom of the ninth, the 'Birds turned to closer Austin Watson, who came in with one out and two runners on after O'Bannon issued a walk and allowed a single. In the high-pressure situation, Watson came through striking out the final two batters with a mix of high fastballs and sharp breaking pitches to record his first save of the season, sealing the 1-0 victory for the Sunbirds. 

GAME TWO

After the dramatic pitching battle in game one, the Sunbirds came up short in game two falling 4-3 to the Lions despite a seventh-inning rally that came up short. 

Fresno Pacific struck first in the first inning, when Mallonee crushed a solo home run to left field, giving the Sunbirds an early 1-0 lead. The home run marked Mallonee's first of the season, continuing his hot streak from game one. 

However, the lead didn't last long. In the bottom of the first, the Lions responded with a single to center, later scoring on an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. 

The bottom of the second proved to be pivotal, as Vanguard tacked on two more runs. After a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt moved the Lions into scoring position. who then lined a double down the right-field line, plating the go-ahead run. Moments later, the Lions followed with an RBI single to extend the Lions' lead to 3-1.

On the mound, Tim Ruiz struggled to find his rhythm and was pulled after just 1.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits. Matt Bettencourt provided solid relief, tossing three scoreless innings, keeping the Sunbirds in the game. Evan Fanconi later took over, allowing one additional run in the sixth inning, giving Vanguard a 4-1 cushion heading into the final frame in the seven inning game. 

Down by three runs, Fresno Pacific refused to go quietly. Chris Celment led off with a single before advancing to second on a wild pitch. After two quick outs, Jacob Solorio drew a walk and Teejean Smith followed with another walk, loading the bases. 

Needing a clutch hit, the 'Birds turned to pinch hitter Garrett Perkins, and he delivered in a big way, lacing a single to left field, driving in two runs and cutting the deficit to 4-3.

With the tying run in scoring position, Vanguard's closer remained calm under pressure, inducing a ground out to second base from Eric Wilson to seal the win for the Lions. 

UP NEXT

The Sunbirds will be back at Dean Harvey Field tomorrow for the conclusion of the series with the Vanguard Lions with a double-header scheduled for 11:00am & a seven-inning game at 2:30pm. 

 
UP NEXT
 
The 'Birds will refocus on get to work on preparing for a four-game series away against the Vanguard Lions.  First pitch from Dean Harvey Field in Costa Mesa is set for Friday at 11am PT and will be streaming on the PacWest Network. 
 
 
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