FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Pacific baseball team put up its best fight against nationally ranked Point Loma in its first doubleheader of the weekend. Despite kicking off the day with a five to one lead, the Sunbirds were outscored by the Sea Lions by a large margin in both games.
GAME 1 | FPU 5, PLNU 10
On the first pitch of the game, Point Loma scored a solo homerun as the ball bounced off the left foul pole. The Sunbirds were quick to respond as
Holden Hirschkorn had a beautiful hit down right center, giving the 'Birds their first runner on base.
Gabe Henderson, FPU's batting average leader, was walked by the Sea Lions pitcher followed by a big swing by
Chris Clement to load the bases. In true Sunbird fashion,
Titus Wheelock came through with a perfect drive down the middle to bring in Hirschkorn and Henderson, taking the lead 2-1. Adding two more runs to the board,
Alex Lopez swung for the fences, sending a ball to right field as he raced his way through the bags until finally getting caught at third.
At the bottom of the second,
Darryl Dilworth Jr. secured his second home run of the season with a hard drive to left center, pushing the team ahead 5-1. In the fourth, a great stop by Wheelock in the dirt allowed FPU pitcher
Jake Turley to run to first and tag out the batter for the first out. Although a Point Loma runner was able to get on base, Henderson's quick catch was the defining reason behind the second Sea Lion runner staying on third, scared to run home.
Although freshman pitcher
Carlo Ramirez allowed a runner to reach first on an error,
Tejean Smith's backwards facing catch in right field was the first out for the 'Birds. The Sea Lions were able to tie the score at five in the fifth and later recapture their lead in the sixth, stealing all the momentum back.
The No. 8 Sea Lions protected their 9-5 lead as the game continued, but the 'Birds did not give up hope. A solo home run from Point Loma brought the score to FPU 5 – PLNU 10. In the bottom of the eighth, Martinez made his way to second as the Sea Lions' right fielder dropped the fly out to the track, gaining the fourth PLNU error of the game. However, the nationally ranked team closed the inning with their second ground out double play, protecting their lead.
A last second pitch change by PLNU in the ninth allowed
Vincent Robinson to make it to first on a hit by pitch, followed by walks for Hirschkorn and Henderson. Despite the late Sunbird surge, No. 8 Point Loma defeated the 'Birds 10-5.
GAME 2 | FPU 1, PLNU 19
With several pitching changes, the Sunbirds struggled in the first inning, allowing nine PLNU runs and five hits. In the second inning, Martinez got on base with a single to left field, then advanced on a wild pitch. Lopez battled through his at-bat until hitting a deep shot to left field down the line, setting up Martinez in scoring position at third. However, the Sea Lions ended the inning with a fielder's choice to second. In the third, the Sunbirds were quick to get the first out as Moreno and Wheelock worked in tandem on a groundout down the right line. Although another run made it home for the Sea Lions, an unfortunate high ball by FPU's pitcher struck out the final batter to stop their momentum.
The 'Birds finally got on the board in the bottom of the third! Henderson's bouncing hit to shortstop allowed Dilworth to make it home, despite losing Hirschkorn at second on the fielder's choice. With one run added, Clement kept the good energy going with a well-driven swing to left center, bringing Henderson to third. Yet again, PLNU swept through the rest of the outs, leaving bases loaded for the 'Birds.
Although Point Loma sailed ahead with more runs, a notable moment occurred in the fifth as
Brennan Johnson had an incredible at-bat, facing 13 pitches.
Andrew Stalnaker did his best on the mound after the rough start for the Sunbirds, delivering two strikeouts over his three innings. The Sea Lions ended the first day with a strike em out, throw em out, double play to close game two, 19-1.
SUNBIRD SOCIAL
- X - @fpusunbirds
- Instagram - @fpusunbirds
- Facebook - /FPUsunbirds
#TeamFPU
