Academy of Art University Athletics

Senior starting pitcher Nate Gercken threw the second nine-inning complete game shutout in ART U history Thursday, leading the Urban Knights to a 4-0 series-opening win over California Baptist.

Gercken began the night by retiring his first six batters and facing the minimum through the first four innings. He would go the full nine innings with only one California Baptist runner advancing to third, and that was on a fielding error in the eighth inning. Gercken scattered four hits and forced 11 groundouts and five flyouts with his defense behind him while striking out eight.

Gercken's nine-inning complete game shutout was the second of his career after beating Holy Names 2-0 in a complete game on April 12, 2014. It was the fifth nine-inning complete game victory in Academy of Art history and the second nine-inning complete game shutout – both belonging to Gercken. It was Gercken's fourth complete game of 2015 and 10th of his career, one shy of tying the ART U career record of 11 held by Zach Mexicano (2009-12).