St. George, Utah -- The Urban Knights faced Dixie State College in a double header on Friday afternoon. The good-hitting Dixie State team proved to be a tough match for the Academy of Art University Women as they lost both games to the Red Storm 9-0 and 9-1.


Box Score #1

The teams battled through two and a half scoreless innings before DXC posted three runs in the third. Two came home on a single with the bases loaded and while the Urban Knights were careful considering the situation, the final run scored on a bases-clearing triple.

In the sixth inning, AAU had its best opportunity in the game after sophomore outfielder Carissa Nichole Perales singled and freshman catcher Jayme Stewart earned a two-out walk to put two runners on. Junior infielder Nicole Palmer came on to pinch hit for freshman right-handed pitcher Sierrah Garcia and hit a single of her own to load the bases. Although another pinch hitter, freshman utility Crista Sykes, entered the game, she lined out to Dixie State's shortstop for the final out.

The Red Storm followed with a five-run sixth inning which led to the early 9-0 conclusion. Garcia had a solid game going through five innings, but she finished with a five and two thirds inning performance, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits.


Box Score #2

The back end of the doubleheader saw the Urban Knights getting on the board first with a bases-loaded groundout that resulted in a RBI by Sykes in the first inning. Dixie State responded with a two-run home run by Breanna Egge in their half of the first to make the score 2-1 in favor of DXC. Two scoreless innings followed and a second home run, this one by Jaki Hawkins, as well as an RBI single added to the Red Storm advantage.

A rough fifth inning for the Urban Knights ensued as more runs were scored by Dixie State including a second home run by Egge to end the game in DXC's favor 9-1. Junior right-handed pitcher Ericka Ames allowed nine runs on 11 hits over four and two thirds innings in her second loss of the season.

Overall, the Urban Knights' record now stands at 0-4 and the series finale with Dixie State comes on Feb. 7 at 12:00 PM.