GAME #17, 18 (Doubleheader)
AAU Urban Knights (5-11) vs. Vanguard University (7-4)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 12:00 PM
West Valley College, Saratoga

Game Notes

THE WEEK AHEAD:
After rainy conditions in San Francisco caused their doubleheader against SF State to be postponed, the Urban Knights now look ahead to a pair of games this Saturday against Vanguard University. This doubleheader will be the only set of home games for Academy of Art University softball and will be played at West Valley College in Saratoga.

LOOKING BEYOND:
A three-game series against Humboldt State of the CCAA on March 7 and March 8 quickly follows AAU's home doubleheader. Then the Urban Knights are off to Hawaii for their next eight games in the middle of the month.

SCOUTING THE LIONS:
Vanguard University comes into its pair of games against Academy of Art University with a 7-4 record and has won four of its last five games. Most recently, the Lions earned two victories (7-4 and 19-2) over Simpson University. Infielder Sarah Howe is currently the most dangerous bat in Vanguard's lineup after a .450 batting average in her first seven games. Backing Howe has been infielder Amanda Plum who holds a .429 average with nine total bases. As far as pitching goes, left-handed hurler Melissa Forrester has a 1.62 ERA and nine strikeouts in her first three appearances of the season. Right-hander Patricia Olvera was not far behind Forrester after going 2-1 in her first three outings and posting a 1.68 ERA with nine strikeouts as well.

LAST SERIES RECAP:
In Carson, California for a doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills, the Urban Knights fell 8-4 and 3-2, but junior infielder Shampayne Clay went 4-for-6 in the series with three runs scored. Infielder Nicole Palmer was also 4-for-6 with two RBI against the Toros. After falling behind early in the first game one, AAU put together a few strong innings and just didn't have enough time to come back. The second game saw CSUDH strike first for a run in the first and yet Academy of Art University had a big third inning capped by a RBI double from Palmer to take the lead back. The Toros eventually pushed across two more runs before the game ended resulting in a tough loss for the Knights.