Saturday, February 9, 2008 - FPU Field
Sunbirds sweep #13 Lancers in home opener

Game 1 Box score

Fresno- Today marked the first time the Sunbirds would host a baseball game at the newly established FPU Field here at Fresno Pacific University. It was a day full of excitement as the Sunbirds swept the #13 ranked California Baptist Lancers for the first time in the three year history of the program.

In the first game the Sunbirds used solid pitching along with great hitting to win 8-2. As for the second game, things were a little different for the bats of the Sunbirds, but the pitching remained clutch in route to an extra inning, 2-1, victory.

Senior pitcher, Chris Schwinden, pitched a strong eight innings as he kept the bats of the Lancers silent. Schwinden recorded seven strikeouts while only allowing six hits and one run.

The Lancers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead and kept the Sunbirds scoreless in the bottom half of inning one, but the next two innings belonged to the home team as the Sunbirds put together back-to-back two run frames.

As Schwinden kept his part of the deal up, the Sunbirds would come back to another two run inning in the sixth. Right fielder, Anthony Lowell, was able to zone in and send a rocket over the left field fence, which marked the first ever home run at FPU Field.

Both the seventh and eighth inning saw one run apiece for the Sunbirds, which was more then enough for the 8-2 win.

Lowell paced the Sunbirds as he went 2 for 5 at the dish with two RBI's and a home run. Thomas Raymundo also went 2 for 5 with an RBI, and catcher Josh Jackson was nearly perfect in game one with a 4 for 5 performance. Schwinden was awarded the win.

Game 2 Box Score

Game two was scheduled for a seven inning rendezvous, but a pitchers duel would lead to 12 innings of exciting baseball.

Junior pitcher, Daniel Brodie, was on top of his game and kept the Lancers confused throughout the game. Brodie carried a perfect game into the fourth inning, which was broken up by a ball hit deep into the hole at second base.

Cory Allen, pitcher for California Baptist, was also able to get key outs and kept the Lancers in the game with some great pitching.

Before extra innings, the first and seventh inning were the only two frames to have a run recorded in. The Sunbirds struck first, but the Lancers would load the bases and come in on a walk to tie the game.

Both bullpens came out and pitched outstanding, as they got out of multiple jams and possible game ending situations.

The sun was starting the set when the 12th inning came around and before the night sky would settle in, the Sunbirds pushed across the game winning run.

Catcher Jared Coleman drew a walk to jump start the final frame, and center fielder Joe Halderman laid down a successful bunt to move Coleman into scoring position.

With two outs the Lancers elected to walk Raymundo and put the potential game winning hit in the hands of left fielder Justin Keeney. Kenney then dialed in and sent a frozen rope down the left line to bring Coleman around to score and cap off the sweep.

Raymundo collected another multi hit game going 2 for 4 along with Keeney who went 2 for 5 including the game winning hit. Antone Ontiveros was awarded the win.

The victory improves the Sunbirds record to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the GSAC. They will be back in action on Wednesday, February 13th as they travel to Santa Barbara, California to take on Westmont College. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

For more information on Lancers baseball click here

Records
#13 Lancers: 8-3, 0-2
Sunbirds: 4-2, 2-2