Fresno Pacific Athletics

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - No. 11 Fresno Pacific (35-15) pushed No. 3 Cal Baptist (45-13) to an if-necessary game-two with a huge 10-3 win, but did not have enough to finish the Lancers off for the conference title.  The Sunbirds lost in the final game 9-2.

Kelyn Schellenberg led the Sunbirds in game-one pitching the entire game holding the Lancers to three runs.  Schellenberg had four strikeouts as well.

Four Sunbirds had home runs in the game.  Matt Souza hit a three-run homer early to put the Sunbirds up 5-0.  The final three from Case Rigby, Jared Coleman and Dane McLaughlin all came in the ninth inning hitting in four runs to go up 10-3.

Souza and Rigby led the team with three RBIs apiece while Coleman went four-for-four with his solo home run for the game.

Both teams had 13 hits apiece, but Cal Baptist left 12 runners on base as the Sunbirds’ defense stepped up at the right times.

Unfortunately, game-two was a different game.  The Sunbirds were only able to produce five hits from their offense while only scoring two runs.  The Lancers led the game 9-0 before the Sunbirds scored two runs late in the game.

As the GSAC runner-up, No. 11 Fresno Pacific will prepare for the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.  The Sunbirds will be an opening round host.  Fresno will be one-of-nine sites to host a five-team double elimination tournament.  The winner of each site will meet at the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.

The pairings for the opening round will be announced on Friday, May 14 at 5 p.m. CDT.