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15
Winner PLNU PLNU 23-3
5
FPU FPU_26 11-13
Winner
PLNU PLNU
23-3
15
Final
5
FPU FPU_26
11-13
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
PLNU PLNU 0 4 0 3 3 0 0 0 5 15 19 0
FPU FPU_26 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 5 8 0

W: Devin Norton (2-1) L: Petty, Drew (3-4)

14
Winner PLNU PLNU 24-3
5
FPU FPU_26 11-14
Winner
PLNU PLNU
24-3
14
Final
5
FPU FPU_26
11-14
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
PLNU PLNU 3 3 3 0 1 0 4 14 17 2
FPU FPU_26 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 5 9 0

W: Glen Huggins (4-0) L: Isla, Jordan (1-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

No. 8 Sea Lions Slip Through Sunbirds' Talons in Dominant Showing

FRESNO, Calif. – On day two of the series against No. 8 Point Loma, Fresno Pacific baseball scored five runs in both games but ultimately fell to the Sea Lions to close out the series, 0-4. Sunbird catcher Alex Lopez and right fielder Holden Hirschkorn hit crucial homers to get the 'Birds on the board, disrupting PLNU's scoring streak.
 
GAME 1 | FPU 5, PLNU 15
 
Sunbird freshman Drew Petty made his sixth start on the field, kicking things off with a fly out to right field, a clean ground out to fourth-base, and a final line out to shortstop.
In the second, back-to-back infield singles allowed the Sea Lions to get two on base, followed by a walk to load the bases with no outs. PLNU scored their first run on a sacrifice fly and another on a single to right field. A great stop by Petty stopped a run from scoring as he ran to home and passed it over to Lopez for the second out. Unfortunately, a few unlucky plays allowed the Sea Lions to push ahead 4-0 by the end of the inning.

In the third, Vincent Robinson had a perfect double as it sailed deep down the left line, putting him and Lopez in scoring position. The Sea Lions captured the next two outs before the 'Birds could make it home. Craig Yanagihara stepped in for Petty on the mound in hopes of shifting the momentum back in the 'Birds favor.

Despite shutting out the Sea Lions in the third, No. 8 Point Loma scored an additional three runs in the next two innings to make it 10-0 in the fifth. The Sunbirds rallied with a few exceptional plays, specifically the pickoff at second as Yanagihara sent it back to Henderson for the first out in the sixth and Lopez's solo home run to get the 'Birds on the board.

The Sunbirds heated things up in the seventh inning. Robinson scored on a wild pitch and Henderson's single down the middle brought in Dilworth, making it 3-10. The Sea Lions stopped them with their fourth double play of the series and held them scoreless at the plate, but a late solo home run in the ninth made it 11-3 with the 'Birds trailing. Aaron Martinez Jr. made a crucial foul ball fly catch for the second time in the game, gaining the second out of the ninth. However, Point Loma's impressive grand slam extended the lead 15-3. In a last-ditch effort, FPU's Brennan Johnson sailed a ball to the left field fence, gaining a triple to bring Braxton Riley home, 4-15. Isaac Esquivel's ground out to second base brought in Johnson next to end the game 5-15.
 
GAME 2 | FPU 5, PLNU 14

The Sea Lions were quick to bring home three runs on a home run in the first inning. The Blue and Orange fought to get on base with a huge swing by Henderson driven to the fourth baseman, but the inning ended with a flyout to left field before they could capitalize on runners on base. Even though the Sea Lions added three more runs to the board, Tejean Smith and Titus Wheelock took care of business to get out of the inning. However, Point Loma tallied a trio of runs for the third consecutive inning, boosting them ahead 9-0.

It was Hirschkorn who put the 'Birds on the board at the bottom of the third with a solo home run to right field. Soon after, Henderson was quick to follow it up with a single to centerfield. Wheelock brought in Henderson with a 105 mph drive to right field, bouncing the ball off the back fence. Lopez, FPU home run hitter, sent another hit sailing to left field before the inning closed out, 2-9.
In the fourth, Jacob Ruiz took to the mound and started things off with strikeouts on the first two batters he faced. In an unforgettable moment, shortstop Henderson doubled down the left field line, bringing in Robinson and Hirschkorn. A final Sunbird drive by Martinez made it 5-9 to finish the fourth, allowing Henderson to cross the home plate.

Unfortunately, No. 8 Point Loma acquired their last five runs for the win, scoring one in the fifth and four in the seventh to close out the series.

Fresno Pacific baseball is 11-14 overall and 6-8 in PacWest Play. The team is ranked ninth in conference with Henderson (1st in assists and 2nd in stolen bases) and Titus Wheelock (2nd in putouts and 4th in fielding double plays) climbing the charts.


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