FRESNO, Calif. – It was all about the hurlers from 60-feet, six-inches on Thursday evening.

Fresno Pacific opened the four-game set with a 2-1 pitcher's duel victory.

The game's tone was set on top of the bump as two of the top starting pitchers in the league showed their dominance on the mound. Cougar starting pitcher Jonny Reid went 7.2 innings where he struck out six and scattered seven hits. His counterpart, Jake Martinez, was bit stronger as he went all nine innings where he struck out eight, allowed four hits on 135 pitches.

Fresno Pacific scored on their first opportunity when Leo Carrillo reached on a field error which allowed Tristen Alvarez to score the game's first run.

Azusa Pacific put their first runner in scoring position during the fifth inning but Cam Bennett was left stranded on second base after his one-out double. The Cougars tied the game on their next chance when Pablo O'Connor two-out single scored Luke Huerta.

The score remained 1-1 until Nick Pate's two-out single off reliever David May scored Alvarez for what proved to be the game winning run.

Down to their final three outs the Cougars loaded the bases on a walk, a single then an infield error. However, Martinez got a strikeout and a fly out to finish out his complete game.

The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.