Box Score #1
Box Score #2
San Mateo, CA – The Academy of Art University battled the elements and the No. 3 team in the Nation, Hawaii Pacific, in a double header Tuesday afternoon. After rain from the night before rendered the Urban Knights' field unplayable, the games were moved to the College of San Mateo in order to be played. HPU showed their true colors in game one as they defeated the Urban Knights 5-1. But the Urban Knights came out attacking in game two and prevailed over the PacWest leaders with a score of 3-1.
Hawaii Pacific struck first in game one when they scored two runs in the top of the second off a two-run home run. They then added three more runs to their lead when another HPU batter hit a three-run home run. The Knights were caught off guard by the HPU and leading PacWest pitcher. AAU broke the no-hitter and shut-out in the bottom of the fifth, when Alana Aweau hit a towering solo home run over the left field fence.
AAU threatened with runners in scoring position in the sixth, but they were unable to bring any of those runners in. The Sea Warriors' pitcher kept the Knights off balance for the remainder of the game, and the Knights came up short against their conference opponents.
Junior Alana Aweau led the Urban Knights offensively going 1-3 with a home run, one run scored, and one RBI. Freshmen Julie Martin and Nicole Smith both went 1-3 in the game.
Sierrah Garcia was on the mound for the Knights. After a few shaky innings, she settled down and shut down the Sea Warriors. Garcia went all seven innings pitched giving up five runs (two earned), two walks, and recorded 11 strikeouts. After receiving the loss for her team, her record falls to 12-5.
For the Sea Warriors, M. Kim went 2-3 with a home run, one run, and three RBIs', C. Sugihara went 2-4 with one run, and N. Morrow went 1-3 with a home run and two runs batted in.
Receiving the win for HPU was S. Musquiz who went seven innings pitched giving up three hits, one earned run, one walk, and had four strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored one run on three hits, committed two errors, and left five runners on base.
The second game of the afternoon proved to be a pitching duel, as both teams were scoreless for the first four innings. Hawaii Pacific again struck first by posting a run in the top of the fifth, to take a one run lead. But the Urban Knights were eager for the win, and they were able to help their pitcher out by starting a rally in the bottom of the inning.
Alana Aweau led the inning off with a single, but was left stranded at first two outs later. With two outs, Melissa Coe singled up the middle, followed by a single to right by Ashley Lokey to load the bases. Nicole Smith then came up to bat and hit a double to the right-center fence to clear the bases. After the rally, the Knights had a 3-1 lead. AAU's strong pitching performance from Kim Dauer continued for the remainder of the game, and combined with outstanding defense; the Knights were able to keep the Sea Warriors quiet and ended up beating out the PacWest leaders.
Alana Aweau again had a solid game offensively for the Knights. She went 2-3 with one run. Nicole Smith came up clutch for her team going 1-3 with three runs batted in, and both Ashley Lokey and Melissa Coe did well as they each went 2-2 with one run scored.
Kimberly Dauer received the win for the Urban Knights. She went all seven innings pitched giving up six hits, one earned run, one walk, and had one strikeout. Her record improves to 6-9.
Leading the Sea Warriors offensively was M. Kim who went 2-4, and N. Morrow and C. Garces who both went 1-2 in the game. A. Valine recorded the loss for her team. Valine went six innings pitched giving up seven hits, three earned runs, one walk, and had two strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored three runs on seven hits (out hitting their opponents), had no errors, and left four runners on base.
After the split, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 18-14 overall and 8-6 in the PacWest, while Hawaii Pacific University's record is at 31-4 overall and 17-4 in the PacWest. The two teams face off again tomorrow, March 31st. AAU will act as the visiting team per PacWest conference rules. The games will take place at 12:00 and 2:00 PM at the College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA.
