Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - FPU Field
#23 Sunbirds sweep Red Hawks

Game 1- box score/ Game 2- box score

Fresno- In non-GSAC action, the Sunbirds handled their business against visiting Simpson University. Starting pitchers Jordan Keener and Aaron Lynn limited the offensive production of the Red Hawks for a combined four runs and six hits.

Keener, starter of game one, pitched six scoreless frames and held the Red Hawks to three hits before exiting in the seventh inning.

The Sunbirds scored all their runs in the third and fourth inning. Joey Norwood and Mitch Mulligan hit consecutive doubles to anchor the offensive attack. Mulligan's double scored Norwood.

In inning four, Justin Keeney singled to right field and later came around to score off a Jacob Burns single. Case Rigby and Jeff Taylor each crossed the plate when Norwood scorched a single to center field, which gave the Sunbirds a 4-0 lead.

The ninth inning became a little uneasy for the Sunbirds as the Red Hawks put two runs on the board. With the bases loaded and just one out, pitcher Daniel Brodie came out of the bullpen to retire the next two batters.

Kenney and Norwood each recorded two hits and one RBI to lead the Sunbirds at the plate. Keener improved his record to 3-1 on the mound.

Pitching was another key factor in game two. Lynn was able to pitch a no-hitter through five and one-third innings. It wasn't until the sixth inning when the Red Hawks strung a few hits together to put the no-hitter to rest.

Four runs in the bottom half of the second inning and another run in the third gave the Sunbirds a comfortable 5-0 lead early in the ball game.

In the top of the sixth inning Lynn nearly made a great play on a hard line drive that ricocheted off his glove. Unfortunately the ball squirted away into no man's land for the first hit of the game. The Red Hawks had a slight rally and scored two runs, but didn't have enough to overcome the five run deficit.

Andrew Douglas (2-4), Casey Padgett (2-3) and Jared Coleman (2-3) each tallied two hits to lead the Sunbirds at the plate. Lynn picked up his first win (1-1) with his dominate performance.

Today's sweep of the Red Hawks improves the Sunbirds record to 16-6 overall. They will be back in action tomorrow night when they host Patten University at 7:00 p.m.  

Updated Records
Red Hawks: 7-16
#23 Sunbirds: 16-6