FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific (9-1, 1-1 GSAC) receives their first loss of the season after looking as if they would move to 10-0 to start the 2010 season as they did in 2009. The Sunbirds shutout Westmont (5-7, 1-1 GSAC) 9-0 in the first game of the doubleheader, and had a 7-4 lead after the seventh inning in the second game. However, Westmont fought back with four runs in the final two innings to hand the Sunbirds their first loss 7-8.
Case Rigby and
Dwight Nixon both had four RBIs for the day. Rigby had two RBIs in each game including a two-run homerun in the Sunbirds’ 9-0 victory. Nixon had three RBIs in their winning effort as well.
Alec Mehrten led the second game with a two-run homerun to pull the Sunbirds within one at the beginning of the seventh inning and started a six-run inning to put the Sunbirds up 7-4.
Unfortunately, a hit-batter and a walk setup two of the Eagles’ three final runs in the ninth inning.
Pitching struggled in the second game allowing nine hits and eight runs.
David Hawes had six strikeouts in 7.2 innings, but was not enough to get the Sunbirds the victory.
Kyle Lovero (0-1) was given the loss.
On a brighter note,
Kelyn Schellenberg (2-0) pitched amazing in the first game with a two-hit complete game shutout. Schellenberg was pitching a no-hitter until the ninth inning where he allowed his only two hits.
The Sunbirds will continue their series with Westmont in Santa Barbara with a doubleheader on Saturday, February 27. The first pitch will be at 11 a.m.