Baseball

Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Azusa, California
Sunbirds season ends in slugfest

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Azusa- An offensive explosion, that saw more than 30 runs scored, had the Sunbirds on the short end of the stick as they fell to the Concordia Eagles 21-14. Concordia's five home runs plated over ten runs alone, which proved to be the difference.

Another slow start for the Sunbirds was costly and too much to bounce back from. After two innings of play the Eagles built an 8-0 lead.

The Sunbirds were able to cut the lead in half with a four run inning, but fell further behind when the Eagles answered with a five run fourth.

Every time the Sunbirds tried to claw back into the game, either a home run or a run filled inning was delivered by the Eagles, which kept the deficit above six runs and the game out of reach.

Jacob Burns, Case Rigby, and Casey Padgett each went 2 for 5 with three RBI's to lead the Sunbirds at the plate. Anthony Lowell stayed hot with a 3 for 5 night and two runs scored.

Even though the loss ends the Sunbirds season, it will still be one to go into the history books. They finished a program best 36-14 overall and ranked 10th in the final regular season polls.

Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Azusa, California
Sunbirds fall victim to the long ball

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Azusa- Top-seeded Azusa Pacific smashed six home runs as they beat the Sunbirds 18-12 in today’s semifinal game. The Sunbirds staged a valiant comeback, but didn't have enough to overcome the power surge of the Cougars.

 

The uphill battle began early for the Sunbirds as they found themselves in an early six run deficit. Back to back three run innings by the Cougars made the game 6-0 after two innings of play.

 

Even though it seemed the game was headed in the wrong direction, the Sunbirds were able to storm back and tie the game at 6-6.

 

The comeback started with consecutive multiple run innings. Inning three saw two runs for the Sunbirds and they followed up with four more in the fourth.

 

Josh Jackson roped a double to bring the two runs home in the third, while Andrew Douglas and Jacob Burns each tallied two RBI’s in the fourth.

 

Five runs in the sixth inning  along with six more in the seventh established a large enough need for the Cougars as they punched their ticket to the championship game.

 

Jackson and Case Rigby, who also hit a home run, each went 4 for 5 at the plate. Joey Norwood recorded his third home run of the season as well.

 

With the double elimination format of the NAIA Region II Playoffs, the Sunibrds are still able to walk away  as Region II champs. They will await the winner of the Biola and Concordia game to play for a chance to revisit Azusa in the championship game. The play-in game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start.

 

Livestats  (5:30 pm)

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Azusa, California
Sunbirds beat Biola 8-5; Set for semifinals against Azusa Pacific

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Azusa- The Sunbirds took another step in the right direction with a quarterfinals win over the Biola Eagles. The 8-5 victory sets them up for a semifinal game against Azusa Pacific.

A five run first inning jump started the Sunbirds' offense. Anthony Lowell and Case Rigby each hit a home run as the duo recorded five of the eight runs scored by the Sunbirds. Lowell's three run blast came in the first inning and Rigby lifted his two run shot in the fifth.

Biola put together back to back two run innings to cut the deficit to one run, but starting pitcher Jacob Burns got in a groove as he pitched three scoreless innings in route to his seventh win. In his seven and one third innings on the hill, Burns tallied 11 strikeouts with just two walks.

Two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth gave the Sunbirds an 8-4 lead as they headed into the final three frames.

The Eagles plated another run and later loaded the bases in the eighth, but clutch pitching by Antone Ontiveros, left the runners stranded. Daniel Brodie nailed the door shut for the Sunbirds with a ground out double play and a fly out to right field.

With the win the Sunbirds improve to 36-12 overall. They will match up with Azusa Pacific for a chance to come out of the winners bracket and into the championship game. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

 

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - Azusa, California
Sunbirds trounce Lancers 15-5; Jacob Burns collects five hits

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Azusa - A perfect 5 for 5 day at the plate by first baseman Jacob Burns, helped pace the Sunbirds to a first round victory. Burns was also responsible for three RBI's on his record setting day.

California Baptist jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after one inning of play. Inning number two belonged to the Sunbirds as they posted three runs. Joey Norwood plated two of the runs with a two run home run. 

A two run third inning by the Lancers tied the game at 3-3, but the Sunbirds were just getting started.

Down 5-3, after two more runs scored by the Lancers in the fourth, the Sunbirds charged back with a six run inning of their own. Burns singled in the first run and a misplayed ball off the bat of Justin Keeney brought the second one across to tie the game at 5-5.

Norwood reached base on another error, which scored Jeff Taylor. With two men on and two outs Case Rigby delivered a three run blast over the center field wall. Rigby's home run plated runs four, five and six.

The six run inning proved to take the air out of the Lancers as Sunbirds' relief pitcher, Kelyn Schellenberg, pitched four scoreless innings for the win.

Even though the Lancer's offense fizzed away, the Sunbirds continued to pour in the runs in route to the 10-run rule victory. Keeney, drilled a two run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to make the game 15-5.

The Sunbirds, now 35-12 overall, await the winner of Point Loma and Biola for tomorrow's second round game at 5:30 p.m.

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