A 10-run seventh propelled NAIA No. 2-ranked Sea Lions to a 15-4 win in the opening game of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday versus No. 9 Fresno Pacific at FPU Field. PLNU nearly stole the nightcap, but had to settle for the split after a 7-6 loss.
 
The Sea Lions now stand at 21-8-1 (13-6 GSAC) while the Sunbirds are to 19-7 (11-7 GSAC) on the year. PLNU won three of the four season series with FPU and are third in the conference standings behind only Vanguard and California Baptist.

FPU took an early 2-0 lead after two innings of play in game one but a five-run fifth put the Sea Lions on top for good. The team then scored a season high ten runs in the seventh to end all doubts on the outcome.

The Sunbirds pushed two across in the bottom of the seventh for the 15-4 final.

PLNU hitters pounded out 18 hits in the opener led by a 4-for-5 effort from Allen Boyer. Kevin Newburg was 3-for-3. Tyler Kuehl drove in four with Newburg, Boyer and Rashad Taylor each with two RBI.

Chad Blauer improved to 6-1 on the season. The senior allowed four runs on nine hits in 6.1 innings. Adam Herter threw 2.2 innings of one hit relief.

The Sea Lions looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in game two. PLNU took a temporary 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth thanks to RBI hits from Alec Martinez and Alex Cameron. But the Sunbirds countered by plated five runs in the bottom half of the inning to go up 6-2.

Down the their final at bat, PLNU responded with a four-spot, Kuehl and Wes Kartch coming through with two-run hits, Kartch's coming with two outs.

Fresno Pacific ended the day in the bottom of the seventh when the scored the winning run on a hit by Michael Rivera, his fourth RBI in the contest.

The Sea Lions were outhit by the Sunbirds 11-10. Kuehl added two more RBI to his total on the day in the loss. Martinez and Steven Winnick each had two hits.

Starter Robby Ross went four before giving way to Davis Koenig. Kenny Houser threw the final 1.2 innings and was hung with the loss (2-2). FPU also used three hurlers, the final was the hitting hero, Rivera, who picked up the win.

The Sea Lions host Biola on Monday for a seven-inning make up game. First pitch is at 3:00 pm.