COSTA MESA, Calif.- The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds dropped a pair of heart breaking one and two run games as the 'Birds were swept in the double header by the Vanguard Lions in Saturday's double header at Dean Harvey Field.
GAME ONE
The first game of the doubleheader proved to be a back-and forth nail-biter, that ultimately ended in heartbreak for the 'Birds
The Sunbirds got on the board first in the top of the second inning. After Gabe Henderson reached base on a throwing error by Vanguard's third baseman, he advanced to second and later scored when Jordan Smith delivered a clutch single to center field. However, Smith was thrown out attempting to stretch his hit into a double, limiting further damage by the 'Birds. Vanguard responded quickly in the bottom half of the frame, reaching on a single and later scoring on a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1-1.
In the top of the third, the 'Birds regained the lead. Shane Pursell worked a one-out walk and moved to third on a single by Chris Clement. Tejean Smith laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Clement, and a costly fielding error by Vanguard's third baseman allowed both runners to score, putting the Sunbirds up 3-1.
Vanguard answered right back in the bottom of the third with a triple to deep center field, followed with a single up the middle to drive in a run. With two outs, the Lions lined a single to left field, plating another run and knotting the game at 3-3.
The decisive moment of the game came in the fifth inning when the Lions launched a solo home run to left field, giving them the 4-3 lead. The Sunbirds had an opportunity in the sixth when Henderson and Roman Rosales reached base with back-to-back singles, but Vanguard's pitcher escaped the threat with a flyout to center.
Despite multiple baserunners, Fresno Pacific struggled to capitalize. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, they failed to record a hit against Vanguard's bullpen, with the 'Birds striking out the side to end the ninth, giving the Lions the win.
On the mound, Connor Semone (7.0 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 5 K) battled through traffic on the bases but was ultimately handed the loss. Cameron Gallardo tossed a scoreless eighth in relief, but the Sunbirds' offense couldn't produce the tying run as they fell 4-3
GAME TWO
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Sunbirds once again jumped ahead early but couldn't hold off a late Lion surge, ultimately falling 5-3.
The Sunbirds wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Eric Wilson led off with a single, and moments later, Clement was hit by a pitch. A well-placed sacrifice bunt by T. Smith moved both runners into scoring position. Rosales then grounded out to shortstop, but Wilson scored on the play. Moments later, a wild pitch allowed Clement to race home, giving the 'Birds an early 2-0 lead.
Pitcher Dalton Alford kept Vanguard quiet through the first five innings, scattering just three hits and working efficiently against the Lions' lineup. Vanguard's biggest scoring threat in the fourth was neutralized after a wild sequence that saw the Lions try to score on an errant throw but ultimately getting caught in a rundown.
In the fourth inning, the Sunbirds extended their lead. After Henderson singled and stole second, he advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ethan Tsui then lined a single to right field, bringing Henderson home to make it 3-0.
The momentum swung dramatically in the bottom of the sixth, as the Lions opened the frame with a triple to right-center, quickly followed by an RBI single to get Vanguard on the board. After a double by the Lions, the 'Birds pulled Alford in favor of senior Andrew Barger. Unfortunately it didn't go well for Barger as he walked the first batter he faced to load the bases before being pulled after just one batter.
Reliever Austin Watson entered but was greeted with the biggest hit of the game, a towering three-run home run, that cleared the left-field fence and put Vanguard ahead 5-3. Watson allowed a double and hit a batter before finally escaping the inning, but the damage was already done.
Down to their final three outs, Fresno Pacific attempted to rally in the top of the seventh. After two quick outs, Kolin Fukuki, who pinch-hit for Evan Fanconi, singled down the third base line, keeping hopes alive. Darryl Dilworth then followed with a single to center, putting runners at first and second. However, Vanguard's Chris Paruleski, who had pitched the entire game, struck out C. Clement swinging to end it.
Paruleski was dominant, going the full seven innings while allowing just six hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk.
UP NEXT
The Sunbirds will head back to Dan Martin Stadium for a four game series with the Hawai'i Pacific Sharks starting with a double header on Friday with first pitch for game one scheduled at 12pm. The second game will begin roughly 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. Both games will be simulcast on 790 ESPN Fresno and the PacWest Network.
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