FRESNO, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University got a nine strikeout performance from lefthander Marc Sauceda, but could not get the bats going as the Sharks fell at Fresno Pacific 5-1 in the PacWest Conference series opener Thursday night at FPU Diamond.

The Sharks (12-13, 6-11) managed three hits in the contest, while the Sunbirds (12-11, 9-8) won their third straight PacWest game.

Sauceda, a junior lefty from Temecula, Calif./Chaparral, fanned nine Sunbirds in six innings, but allowed six hits and five walks that accounted for three runs as he fell to 2-3 on the season.

FPU righthander Esteban Lizaola threw a complete game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out seven Sharks.

The Sunbirds got on the board in the first inning on Adam Aleman's leadoff walk. Aleman stole second, advanced to third on a fly out and scored on a wild pitch to take a 1-0 advantage.

FPU plated a second run in the third inning after a double from Ross Dodds and an RBI single from Braden Frankfort. A walk in the fifth inning and an RBI double from Frankfort put the Sunbirds up 3-0.

HPU plated its only run in the sixth. After a pair of strikeouts, Sharks junior centerfielder Tanner Tokunaga of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City drew a walk and stole second. Senior rightfielder Ryan Torres-Torioka of Holualoa, Hawai'i/Konawaena laced a single through the right side and Tokunaga beat the throw home to pull the Sharks within two at 3-1.

The Sundbirds put a cushion on the lead in the seventh. Senior righthander Evan-Thomas May of Buena Park, Calif./Oxford Academy saw the Sunbirds load the bases with two out. Robby Steves stepped up with a two RBI single to left center and gave FPU the 5-1 lead.

Lizaola and FPU set down the next nine Sharks in order for the win.

May finished the game for HPU allowing the two runs on thiree hits with three walks.

HPU continues the series at Fresno Pacific on Friday with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. HST (2 p.m. PDT) at FPU Diamond.