FRESNO, Calif. – Returning home to Dan Martin Stadium, Fresno Pacific baseball swept the day for the series win against Menlo, going 3-1 for the week.
GAME 1 | FPU 10, MC 7
Freshman
Zach Simmon started on the mound for the 'Birds, collecting three strikeouts in the first two innings.
Menlo opened the third inning with a home run that bounced off the left foul line pole (which also happened during the Point Loma series). After Simmon struck out the next batter,
Bodhi Verners and
Gabe Henderson worked in tandem to pick off a runner at second, making it two outs. Smith was all over a fly out near the right line, ending the inning before the Oaks could score more.
In the bottom of the third, FPU's
Eric Wilson was in scoring position after his hit down the middle and his move on a passed ball. The Sunbirds were stopped for the second time, leaving a runner on base. In the fourth, the Sunbirds finally got on the board, taking advantage of two runners on base.
Brennan Johnson doubled to left center, bringing in Clement and Martinez for the 2-1 lead.
At the start of the fifth,
Carlo Ramirez came in as relief for Simmon. For the second time in the ball game, Wheelock worked in tandem with the pitcher for the pick off at first. The Sunbirds kept them scoreless for the remainder of the inning. However, lightning in the area put the game at a standstill for thirty minutes, ensuring that fans and players-alike were safe before play continued. Once they were returned, Henderson made a remarkable play in the fifth, stealing third and fighting his way home on an error by the catcher, making it 3-1 in the 'Birds favor. Smith kept the good energy going with a deep shot to left center for the two RBI double, sending Wheelock and Clement home!
In the sixth, right-handed pitcher
Andrew Stalnaker came in for Ramirez, allowing one run to score but closed the inning with an insane catch at the mound to stop a bases loaded situation, 5-2. The Sunbirds soared ahead for the remainder of the game. A notable moment occurred in the seventh as Smith nailed a two-run homer to left center boosting the 'Birds ahead 8-2. Not to mention third baseman Martinez walloped another homer 473 ft left center, leaving the Oaks speechless as they watched it sail over the fence and bounce over at the tennis courts. The final score was FPU 10 – MC 7.
GAME 2 | FPU 13, MC 4
At the start, Menlo advanced to an early 2-0 lead, scoring in the first and third inning. In the bottom of the third, freshman
Vincent Robinson hit his first collegiate two-run homer! With Johnson and Robinson crossing the plate, Fresno Pacific tied the game up at two. Three additional runs crossed the plate following the critical hit, scoring on a fielder's choice and two amazing hits by Wheelock and Martinez. The 'Birds secured the inning with a 6-2 lead.
With bases loaded, a late walk by the Oaks' pitcher and a sacrifice fly by Martinez made it 8-2 in the fourth. Several Menlo pitching changes couldn't stop the 'Birds. Catcher
Alex Lopez got in on the action with his RBI single to centerfield, followed by Johnson's 2 RBI single down the same way.
After Menlo scored another run in the fifth,
Tyler Gonzales came in as relief for freshman pitcher
Dustin Tinsley. The 'Birds kept the Oaks scoreless then jumped to a 14-3 advantage.
To end it all, incoming relief pitcher
Michael Wilcox and a brand-new Sunbird lineup swept all three outs to close out the day!
NEXT UP: The 'Birds have a two-game series swap with Jessup, playing an away on Thursday and home on Saturday. The first pitch of the double header starts at noon.
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