Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Moraga, CA --- After starting the PacWest doubleheader earlier Wednesday morning due to ominous weather conditions, the Urban Knights had 16 hits, but they were topped by the University of Hawaii – Hilo, 13-4 and 10-3. Junior Darnell Quinney was 3-for-7 with three runs batted in and one stolen base at Louis Guisto Baseball Field on an overcast and eventually rainy day. AAU now moves to 2-28 overall, 2-18 in league while the Vulcans are now 11-19 overall, 7-13 in PacWest play.
“Offensively, when everybody starts hitting at the same time, we'll score a lot of runs,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “We're definitely capable of scoring a lot of runs so we're just a fraction away from a lot of positive things. I think we just need to start capitalizing on other team's mistakes a little bit more.”
In the first inning of game one, Academy of Art took an early lead after junior second baseman Ryan Worley led off with a walk. He stole second one batter later and then came home on a RBI double by Quinney. Hawaii-Hilo came back to tie the contest 1-1 with one unearned run in the second then freshman Chris Holmes (0-1) came on to put away the three batters he faced in the third. Sophomore left fielder Alex Rosenthal backed up his fellow pitcher when he made a spectacular diving catch to erase a potential double at the beginning of the frame.
The Vulcans grabbed their first advantage with a two-run fourth and put up five more in the fifth. Now up 8-1, UHH still had to contend with AAU in the bottom of the fifth when the Knights rallied for two runs. Worley was hit by a pitch and three consecutive singles led to the pair on the scoreboard. Sophomore centerfielder Johnathan Robbins, sophomore third baseman Kenny Rollins, Jr., and Quinney each contributed to the scoring response.
Five more runs came for Hawaii-Hilo over the next two innings and the Knights plated one final run in the bottom of the seventh before the 13-4 final went in the books. Senior right fielder Mike Gutierrez stroked an RBI single down the left field line to score Robbins, but the Vulcans held on.
Game one's loss was assigned to Holmes despite his gutsy performance continuing to throw after taking a line drive off his ankle. Lefty Zach Mexicano (0-3) started the game and went 2.0 innings on the mound with one unearned run allowed and one strikeout.
University of Hawaii – Hilo jumped out to an early lead in the second game by way of three consecutive two-run innings. Academy of Art's third saw the home squad get one back when Worley reached on an error and scored on a ground out with the bases loaded.
Unfortunately for AAU, the Vulcans continued to score runs and led 10-1 when the rain broke through and started to fall in the bottom of the sixth. However, the change in the weather seemed to help Academy of Art because the Knights put runs across in the final two innings. In the sixth, singles by Gutierrez and Rosenthal later resulted in one run because of a wild pitch. With two runners aboard in the seventh, freshman first baseman Spencer Roland came home on a passed ball before the last two outs were made and the 10-3 final appeared on the scoreboard.
Quinney (0-8) started game two and took the loss after throwing 5.0 innings with nine runs allowed (seven earned) on 12 hits with two strikeouts. Freshman righty Jeff Smith also came in to provide solid relief with 2.0 innings pitched and one run allowed.
“We've been asking a lot from [Quinney] and he's been very solid,” Coach Guinn said. “It's an indication of what he can do on a consistent basis. We're just waiting for it to all come together right now. We're about midway through the season so we will work to get better and we'll keep improving.”
In game one, four different Urban Knights notched two hits apiece and all nine batters reached base in the contest. Academy of Art also made things happen on the bases as seven Knights recorded at least one stolen base. In addition to Quinney's performance, a key offensive threat was Worley who scored three runs for AAU in the two games, going 1-for-6 with two stolen bases and a walk on the day.
Rollins, Jr. finished 3-for-6 with one RBI and two stolen bases, increasing his hitting streak to seven games, while Gutierrez was 3-for-7 with one RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base against UHH. Freshman first baseman Andy Caniezo also got in on the act and stole the first two bases of his Knights career.
“We were trying to steal in breaking-ball count and they don't expect Andy to run so it was a good opportunity to get him moving,” Coach Guinn said. “I'm not afraid to let the kids run.”
For the second consecutive day, centerfielder Keoni Manago had the best day at the plate. He was 6-for-9 with eight RBIs, four runs scored, and four stolen bases. In game one, lefty Kekoa Lee (1-2) captured the victory with a complete game and four runs allowed on 10 hits with eight strikeouts. The winning pitcher in game two was Hawaii-Hilo's righty John Holley, Jr. (3-1) who went 6.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts.
Academy of Art University returns to action this Saturday, Apr. 3 when the Knights face Division III St. Joseph's College in a neutral site doubleheader at Cartan Field on the campus of Menlo College in Atherton, CA. Game one is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.
