FRESNO, Calif. — Despite the team's attempts to score, Fresno Pacific baseball was overpowered by Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday's doubleheader at Dan Martin Stadium.

GAME 1 | FPU 6, CSUMB 20

In the first inning, Derek McNary struck out the final batter on a pitch clock violation, shifting the momentum in the 'Birds favor. Similar to the day before, the Otters scored their first runs in the second inning. A great catch by third baseman Martinez Jr. on a lineout ended the second, leaving two runners on base. The Otters' pitcher struggled in Holden Hirschkorn's, which gave Tejean Smith the opportunity to get in scoring position with a stolen base. Hirschkorn's hit down the right line was just what Smith needed to score the first run of the game. However, the inning soon ended as Monterey Bay picked off one of the 'Birds runners and caught a line drive to shortstop.

In the third, the Otters scored two runs with a hit down the middle, bringing it to 1-4. The CSUMB runner was able to make it to second on the throw to home. Carlo Ramirez stepped in for McNary on the mound for FPU, hoping to get a first out on the board. The freshman struck out the next batter and Hirschkorn caught a fly out to right field. However, an Otter homerun sailed over the fence at left center, making it 1-7. At bat, Titus Wheelock nearly brought in two runners, but was robbed, what could've been a triple or homerun, by the Otter right fielder at the fence. CSUMB snubbed the Sunbirds for the second time as they left the bases loaded to end the inning, 1-8.

In response to the Otter's homerun, the Sunbirds took care of back-to-back ground outs plays and Nixon struck out a batter for the third out. In the fifth inning, Henderson singled and later scored on Chris Clement's RBI single, making it a 15-2 game after Monterey Bay scored two more runs in the top half. At the top of the sixth, pitcher Jordan Isla made his first appearance of the season. The Blue and Orange added another run in the sixth when Isaac Esquivel doubled to right center, driving in a run, but Monterey Bay extended its lead to 18-3 with three more runs.

FPU rallied in the seventh, starting with Braxton Riley's single. Ruben Rodriguez and Carson Sandoval followed with RBI singles, and Esquivel added another RBI single, reducing the deficit to 18-6 after seven innings. Monterey Bay added two more runs in the ninth, sealing a 20-6 victory over the Sunbirds.

GAME 2 | FPU 1, CSUMB 11

FPU began the second game with Darryl Dilworth Jr. reaching on an error and later scoring on a double play, putting an unearned run on the board. However, the Otters responded decisively, scoring four runs in the first inning, including a three-run homer, 1-4. In the second inning, the Otters added another run with a RBI single, extending their lead to 1-5. The 'Birds had a chance to respond with Lopez reaching on an error and advancing to third, but they were unable to capitalize, leaving the score as it was.

CSUMB hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, pushing the lead to 7-1. FPU could not answer back, maintaining the score at 1-7 after four innings. The fifth inning saw the Otters widen their advantage further. A combination of walks and timely hits, including a two-RBI double, contributed to a four-run inning, 1-11. At bottom of the fifth, Wheelock was robbed of a homerun as the Otter centerfielder reached high and caught it inches before it sailed over. Despite the Sunbirds' valiant efforts, Monterey Bay's pitching held firm, and the score remained unchanged through the subsequent innings. The Otters defeated the Sunbirds 1-11.

On the mound, Dylan Senneway pitched 2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits, including 1 home run, while striking out 1 and walking 2. Matt Bettencourt threw 2 innings, surrendering 2 runs on 2 hits with 1 home run and 1 strikeout. Dilworth contributed with a hit and a run scored while also drawing a walk in his three at-bats. Robinson made an impact as a pinch hitter, recording a hit in his only appearance. Martinez Jr. reached base three times, collecting a hit and two walks across two at-bats.

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