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Jackson Paramo
6
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 21-26
16
Winner Menlo MENLO 8-34
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P
21-26
6
Final
16
Menlo MENLO
8-34
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 6 12 5
Menlo MENLO 1 0 0 0 0 2 4 9 16 17 2

W: M. Verdugo (3-2) L: Semone, Connor (3-5)

5
Winner Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 21-27
1
Menlo MENLO 9-34
Winner
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P
21-27
5
Final
1
Menlo MENLO
9-34
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Fresno Pacific FRESNO P 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 5 11 1
Menlo MENLO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2

W: Alford, Dalton (2-2) L: R. Kiel (2-8)

Game Recap: Baseball |

'Birds Split a Pair with Oaks

ATHERTON, Calif.- It was a tale of two games for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds Thursday as they fell in game one late and bounced back in game two to split a pair of games with the Menlo Oaks at Cartan Field. 

GAME ONE
In a game that began with offensive fireworks and ended in defensive disaster, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds fell hard to the Menlo Oaks, 16-6 in game one. The Sunbirds struck first, and they struck early as Trent Mallonee launched a solo home run on the second pitch of the game, immediately energizing the Fresno Pacific dugout. Gabe Henderson followed with a sharply hit double to left center and later scored on a well-placed RBI single from Aaron Martinez Jr., giving the visitors a 2-0 edge before the first out could settle the dust. 

Menlo responded with a run in the bottom of the first, aided by a fielding error at shortstop that allowed the Oaks to cross the plate, but the Sunbirds remained composed. In the fifth inning, after Micah Barkenhagen's double and a pair of fielding miscues from Menlo, the 'Birds plated an unearned run on a fielder's choice to stretch their lead to 3-1. The bottom of the sixth, however, saw Menlo tie the game thanks to a pair of costly mistakes, two unearned runs scoring on a wild pitch and an error, combined with a sharp RBI double. 

Still, the Sunbirds fought back. In the seventh, Chris Clement and Mallonee set the table, and Henderson delivered a clutch two-RBI double to right center that gave the Sunbirds a 5-3 lead. However, then the floodgates opened. Fresno Pacific's bullpen, cycling through five different pitchers by game's end, collapsed under relentless pressure from Menlo's suddenly red-hot lineup. The Oaks erupted for four runs in the bottom of the seventh and torched the Sunbirds in the eighth with a stunning nine-run onslaught. The Oaks launched a grand slam over the right field fence, and every Menlo starter reached base at least once, and they racked up 17 hits, eight of which came in the final two innings.

The Sunbirds were undone by five defensive errors and a fatigued bullpen that issued eight walks and allowed 13 earned runs. Despite strong performances from Barkenhagen (3-for-4, double, RBI, SB), Henderson (2-for-4, double, 2 RBI), and Mallonee (2-for-5, HR), the team's defensive inefficiency proved fatal in a loss that ballooned out of control late.

GAME TWO
After a demoralizing loss in the opener, the Sunbirds rebounded in impressive fashion, riding timely hitting and lockdown bullpen work to a 5-1 victory over Menlo in the nightcap. The first four innings were quiet, with both teams stranding early baserunners and failing to capitalize. The Oaks struck first in the second walked, stole second, and scored on a clutch two-out double. Josiah O'Bannon struggled with command, walking four over just two innings, but he limited the damage to a single run. The game shifted when Dalton Alford entered in relief, providing a steady hand with 4.1 shutout innings and five strikeouts, allowing just one hit while working around three walks.

Offensively, the Sunbirds found their groove in the fifth. Henderson, continuing his strong day, launched a solo home run to tie the game. The 'Birds erupted for three more in the sixth, sparked by Barkenhagen's leadoff single and steal, his second of the game. After Cole Brincefield walked and a bunt from Jacob Solorio was mishandled for an error allowing Barkenhagen to score, Jordan Smith punched an RBI single into left. Brett Carrel then roped a double to plate another run, giving the Sunbirds a commanding 4-1 lead.

Rosales added an emphatic insurance run in the top of the seventh with a solo homer to right field. The Sunbirds took advantage of Menlo's sloppy defense, four errors across the game, and were efficient with their nine hits. Barkenhagen led the way again, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored, while Henderson and Rosales both homered and drove in a run each. The bullpen closed things out with Dylan Senneway inducing a game-ending double play in the seventh to secure the win. 

UP NEXT
The Sunbirds will head home for the final two games of the series on Monday, April 28th, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 12pm. Both games will be streamed on the PacWest Network. 

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