Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
Wilson Ashford tossed a three-hitter in the first game to lead Fresno Pacific University to a 5-3 win over the University of Hawaii at Hilo on Saturday.
In the nightcap in Fresno, Calif., the host Sunbirds defeated the Vulcans 3-1 to sweep the Pacific West Conference baseball doubleheader.
The teams close their four-game series today with a single game.
“Their two left-handers did a good job against us,” UHH coach Kallen Miyataki said. “Hopefully, we can get a win today and get a split.”
The Sunbirds improved to 8-8 overall and 3-4 in the PacWest. The visiting Vulcans dropped to 2-5 and 1-2, respectively.
In the opener, Ashford (2-1) held UHH to three hits while going the distance for the win. He struck out six and walked three.
Vulcans starter Jordyn Ah Chong pitched 6 1/3 innings and took the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits, with two walks and a strikeout.
Hunter Villanueva went 4 for 4 and drove in two runs to lead the Sunbirds’ nine-hit attack. Joshua Banuelos added two hits and two RBIs.
No one paired hits for the Vulcans, but Keenan Nishioka had a double.
In Game 2, Drew Merlo held UHH to five hits over 6 2/3 innings before reliever Anthony Cantu came in to get the final out. Merlo allowed one run to go along with four strikeouts and four walks. Vulcans starter Jordan Kurokawa pitched six innings, allowing 10 hits and three runs. He struck out five and walked three while taking the loss.
Banuelos and Villanueva each had two hits for Fresno Pacific. No one paired hits for UHH.
The Vulcans return home to host Point Loma Nazarene, of San Diego, in doubleheaders March 10-11.
At Fresno, Calif.
Game 1
UHH 002 000 010 — 3 3 2
FPU 200 120 00x — 5 9 3
Game 2
UHH 000 010 0 — 1 5 1
FPU 101 010 x — 3 10 3