Box Score #1
Box Score #2
San Pablo, CA --- Academy of Art University was able to play both of its games versus the University of Hawaii – Hilo today despite erratic weather conditions. The doubleheader was moved from Louis Guisto Baseball Field to Contra Costa College and the teams battled through a 15-14 final in game one followed by an 11-1 result in the second contest with both victories going to the Vulcans. Junior left fielder Ryan Worley went 4-for-8 with four runs batted in, three runs scored, and three stolen bases on the day.
“We let the first one get away from us,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “The kids battled hard to get back into it and we did a great job hustling, we just didn't shut the door. It's good to see that we battled back and now we just have to finish. For a second year team, we're in good shape right now. We've been surprising a lot of people and as soon as kids learn how to correct a few mistakes, we'll be force to be reckoned with.”
In game one, Hawaii-Hilo seemed to be rolling when the visitors led 9-0 after three innings of strong offense. However, AAU's bats heated up in the bottom half of the third. Freshman first baseman Andy Caniezo earned a walk to start the rally and Academy of Art then proceeded to hit three consecutive doubles to left field. Getting in on the scoring rebuttal was freshman shortstop Stefen Henderson, Worley, and sophomore centerfielder Johnathan Robbins. The third would end with UHH now up only 9-4.
Although the Vulcans added one more run in the fourth, the Urban Knights sparked a three-run rally in their half when freshman catcher Chris Holmes reached on an error. Caniezo walked for the second time and both runners came around to score with RBIs credited to Worley and Robinson. When Robbins got aboard, he swiped second base and was then able to reach home on a RBI single by third baseman Kenny Rollins, Jr.
The offense continued to flow in game one as Hawaii-Hilo enjoyed a three-run sixth to go up 13-7. Shock appeared on the Vulcans' faces when AAU then unleashed an incredible seven-run response in the bottom of the sixth inning. Henderson led off with a triple followed by RBI singles for Worley, Rollins, Jr., senior right fielder Mike Gutierrez, and Caniezo in a true team effort. When freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Smith, who had come on to pinch run, crossed the plate before the final out was made, Academy of Art now had a 14-13 advantage on the scoreboard.
“Baseball is a funny game because anything can happen at any given time,” Coach Guinn said. “[The seven-run inning] shows that at any time, we can score a lot of runs. What is most important is that the kids believe they can score this many runs at any time. I'm proud of their efforts and I know that as we keep playing hard, things will turn around.”
Hawaii-Hilo was able to convert its final scoring opportunity by adding two more runs in the seventh and took a 15-14 lead into the final frame. Robbins singled himself on base with a bunt to represent the tying run. He turned on his speed and promptly stole second. After a flyout was made induced, Robbins pushed the envelope by taking third for a new season-high three stolen bases in one game. Unfortunately for AAU, the Vulcans got an infield popout and later a strikeout to finish with the 15-14 triumph.
Junior right-hander Darnell Quinney (0-7), who had been in as the designated hitter all game, came on for the final inning and was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs to score in the seventh. Academy of Art used five pitchers in the game and it was sophomore righty Brandon Kistler who managed the most innings (3.1) with four runs allowed and one strikeout.
AAU began game two in classic Urban Knight fashion. Worley led off with a single and promptly stole second base. Although Robbins grounded out, he worked a nine-pitch at-bat and still did his job by getting Worley to third and eventually to home on a throwing error.
Up 1-0 headed into the second inning, Academy of Art looked to be in good shape, but the Vulcans would rally back with four runs in the second. University of Hawaii – Hilo went on to plate five more runs over the next four innings and combined that offense with strong pitching from lefty Chris Pascual (1-2). Trailing 11-1 through six and a half innings, the Knights were on the verge of a late-game rally when they loaded the bases and two out in the seventh, but UHH got its final out and took the victory.
In the second start of his Urban Knight career, Smith (0-3) sustained the loss after throwing a season-high 4.0 innings with seven runs allowed (five earned) on seven hits. He struck out three Vulcans to tie his season-high.
Academy of Art was led offensively by Worley who was 3-for-5 with four RBIs in the first game. He followed that up with a 1-for-3 outing with two stolen bases in game two and the only run scored for AAU in the contest. Robbins set two new season-highs in the first game with three hits and three stolen bases in addition to tying his previous highs of three runs scored and two RBIs.
“We're just trying to find the right combination in the batting order to see where [Ryan and Jonathan] are comfortable,” Coach Guinn said. “That's going to be a big part of our game: speed. They're going to be at the top of the lineup and continue to be a threat on the base paths. And I think it really helps the guys behind them get better pitches. That's how we're going to have to play. We're going to play 'small ball' and do the little things we need to do to score runs.”
Centerfielder Keoni Manago finished the pair of games 7-for-10 with seven RBIs, one run, and two stolen bases to lead the Vulcans. Hawaii-Hilo's winning pitcher in game one was righty Tyler Simao (2-1) who came on in relief and threw 2.0 innings, allowing four runs (zero earned) on five hits with two strikeouts. In game two, Pascual went the distance and pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one run (zero earned) on four hits with six strikeouts.
When asked about the rainy weather and change of venue, Coach Guinn did not feel like it was much of a factor.
“You've got to be able to adapt to the situation,” Coach Guinn said. “Both teams had to do it. It was just one of those days where nothing would go right from the beginning. But you have to give Hilo credit; they came out, swung the bats, and got the victory.”
The AAU-UHH series concludes tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 31, with a doubleheader scheduled to be played at Louis Guisto Baseball Field on the campus of St. Mary's College. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 PM.
