SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Fresno Pacific Baseball closed out the season in double elimination at the PacWest Championships. Game one ended with Point Loma making a 18-4 comeback, followed by a 13-3 loss to the Concordia to close out the season. The Sunbirds captured a lead in both games, but neither the Golden Eagles nor the Sea Lions were willing to accept defeat.
"Today didn't go as we had hoped," said head coach
Oscar Hirschkorn, "but I'm forever grateful to this team and our seniors. I'm proud of the fight that they showed and their character. Through the ups and downs of the season they stayed together as a team."
GAME 1 | FPU 4, PLNU 18
Fresno Pacific opened the scoring in the first inning when
Darryl Dilworth Jr. doubled to right field and later scored on
Titus Wheelock's single to shortstop, giving the Sunbirds a 1-0 lead. In the third inning,
Holden Hirschkorn singled and advanced to third before scoring on an error by Point Loma's third baseman, extending the lead to 2-0. The Sunbirds added another run in the fourth inning.
Alex Lopez singled and was brought home by a sacrifice fly from Hirschkorn, making it 3-0.
Point Loma got on the board in the fifth inning with a solo home run, narrowing the gap to 3-1. FPU stopped their momentum with a 6-4-3 double play to end the fifth inning, leaving two runners on. Despite the 'Birds efforts, the sixth inning saw the Sea Lions surge ahead, scoring 12 runs off a two-run homer, a grand slam, and more to make it a 13-3 game.
PLNU continued its offensive in the seventh inning, adding five more runs, including a three-run homer, bringing it to 18-3. In a final attempt to score, FPU's
Vincent Robinson reached on an error and scored on
Isaac Esquivel's RBI single, concluding the game at 18-4. Despite the loss, the Sunbirds managed 12 hits, including two doubles.
GAME 2 | FPU 3, CUI 13
After yesterday's 3-0 shutout, the Golden Eagles returned with determination in the rematch. Thankfully, NCBWA National Player of the Week, Wheelock, gave the Sunbirds an early lead with a solo home run down the right field line in the second inning, putting them ahead 1–0.
Concordia responded in the fourth inning, scoring three runs, then extended its lead in the sixth inning with a grand slam and a solo home run, making it an 8–1 game. FPU did it's best to fight back, but were stopped time and time again. Although the Golden Eagles jumped to a 13-1 lead, the Sunbirds finally managed to score again in the eighth when Martinez doubled to drive in
Chris Clement. In the ninth inning, Dilworth scored on a wild pitch, closing out the game with a final score of CUI 13, FPU 3.
Ultimately, Fresno Pacific capped off a remarkable season with a 33-26 overall record and a 27-17 mark in PacWest play. Picked to finish ninth in the conference preseason poll, the Sunbirds exceeded every expectation, soaring to a program-best tie for second place in the PacWest standings.
Despite facing adversity early with the loss of key pitchers, the Sunbirds responded with resilience all season long. Freshmen stepped confidently into larger roles, while the team's veteran leaders consistently delivered when it mattered most. Together, the 'Birds collected two 200th hit career milestones, three shutouts, and two PacWest Team of the Week honors. Their efforts earned Fresno Pacific three First Team All-PacWest selections, one Third Team honoree, and the PacWest Co-Defensive Player of the Year at shortstop. The Blue and Orange also leaned heavily on the power bat of Wheelock, whose standout season included NCBWA National Player/Hitter of the Week honors, two West Region accolades, and three PacWest Player of the Week awards!
Entering their showdown with Point Loma, the Sunbirds carried the momentum of a six-game winning streak, a testament to the grit and belief that defined this memorable season.
Head Coach
Oscar Hirschkorn and the rest of the FPU Baseball crew have plenty to look forward to as they transfer over to the CCAA conference. With fresh new faces and challenging opponents, the possibilities are endless for this dynamic program!
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