WAIPAHU, Hawaii — Continuing their Hawaii trip, Fresno Pacific baseball fell to Hawai'i Pacific in the midweek doubleheader with final scores of 13–9 and 3-2 on Wednesday at Hans L'Orange Park. In game one, the Sunbirds recorded 19 hits, including a home run, but Hawai'i Pacific's three home runs proved decisive. Game two was a closely contested match that truly kicked into gear in the fourth inning.
GAME 1 | FPU 9, HPU 13
Hawai'i Pacific jumped to an early 3–0 lead in the first inning, with a two-RBI double being the highlight. In response, the Sunbirds scored two runs in the second inning.
Titus Wheelock hit a solo home run, his eighth of th season, and
Eric Wilson's RBI single brought home
Alex Lopez, narrowing the gap to 3–2. Hawai'i Pacific, however, added another run, making it 4–2 by the end of the second inning.
The third inning saw the 'Birds tying the game at 4–4.
Gabe Henderson and
Chris Clement advanced on base hits, followed by Aaron Martinez's two-RBI single. In the fourth inning, the Sunbirds added three more runs. Darryl Dilworth's RBI double was followed by a two-RBI double from Henderson, giving Fresno Pacific a 7–4 lead. However, the Sharks matched with three runs, tying the game at 7–7.
The sixth inning saw Hawai'i Pacific retake the lead with a two-run homer, setting the score at 9–7. Fresno Pacific managed to score one run in the seventh inning, as Wilson doubled and then scored on an error, but a solo home run by HPU in the bottom half kept the home team ahead, 10–8.
Hawai'i Pacific extended its lead in the eighth inning with a critical two-run homer and an RBI single, pushing the score to 13–8. In the ninth inning, the Sunbirds added one more run. Dilworth's RBI single scored Wheelock, resulting in a final score of 13–9 in favor of Hawai'i Pacific.
On the mound,
Drew Petty pitched for 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks.
Dylan Senneway pitched 3 innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits, including three home runs.
GAME 2 | FPU 2, HPU 3
In game two, both teams were held at a standstill for the first few innings, neither willing to concede a run. Hawai'i Pacific broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning. A hit by a pitch and single put a lone Shark in scoring position. Not too long after, a single and a sacrifice fly brought in two runners for HPU. Later, another scored on a fielder's choice, giving the home team a 3–0 lead after four innings.
The Sunbirds responded in the fifth inning, beginning with Lopez's single followed by secod baseman
Tejean Smith reaching on a fielder's choice. Wilson's single advanced both runners, and Dilworth's walk loaded the bases.
Holden Hirschkorn delivered a two-RBI single, scoring Smith and Wilson, bringing the score to 3–2 in favor of Hawai'i Pacific through five innings.
The sixth and seventh innings remained scoreless, as both teams' defenses held firm. In the end, Hawai'i Pacific secured the second victory of the day with a final score of 3–2.
On the mound, freshman
Zach Simmon pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits, while striking out three and hitting three batters.
Andrew Stalnaker came in as a reliever, pitching two innings and allowing only one hit with no earned runs.
Despite losing their eight win streak, the 'Birds are looking forward to their final day of play on Waipahu.
NEXT UP: The Sunbirds will do it all over again on Thursday afternoon, facing the Sharks at 5 pm and 8:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.
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