Box Score

San Leandro, CA --- The Urban Knights' first night game of the season and their final competition on the mainland ended in dramatic fashion Sunday. Heading into the 10th inning tied 6-6, Academy of Art looked as if it would take the victory after scoring a run, but Patten University had the final word and won 8-7 with a late-game rally. Junior catcher Chris Vargas finished with a career-high four runs batted in addition to a home run and one run scored while senior right fielder Mike Gutierrez had a career-high four hits along with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs.

With two down in the top of the first inning, Vargas and Gutierrez got AAU on the scoreboard by blasting back-to-back home runs. Vargas sent his 360 feet to right field, Gutierrez had his own 360-foot shot to left, and the Knights were in business. Patten managed to get one of those runs back in their bottom half of the inning, but Academy of Art would hold tightly to its lead for the next three innings.

After allowing one run in the first, starting right-hander Kallen Fletcher (1-1) was particularly efficient in his three subsequent innings. He did not need more than 13 pitches in any of these frames and at one point, Fletcher even retired five consecutive Lions. However, Patten was able to get through to the sophomore righty in the fifth when the home squad initiated a three-run rally. Upon Fletcher's departure, the Lions led 4-2.

Sophomore right-hander Brandon Kistler came on in relief and pitched a solid 3.2 innings for his new season-high. Kistler kept AAU close enough to retake the lead in the seventh when a Knights rally began with three consecutive singles. Sophomore second baseman Kenny Rollins, Jr. put the ball in play followed by a bunt single off the bat of sophomore centerfielder Johnathan Robbins and another infield hit by junior designated hitter Darnell Quinney. With the bases now loaded, Vargas promptly cleared them with a three-run double to left.

Vargas was pinch run for by junior Ryan Worley whose speed brought him home on the fourth hit of the inning; a single by Gutierrez. Although they were now up 6-4, the Urban Knights were not safe just yet. Patten answered back with a home run in the seventh and a manufactured run in the eighth which tied the game 6-6.

Now past 10:00 PM and into extra innings, Academy of Art struck first on a clutch RBI single by freshman shortstop Stefen Henderson to score Gutierrez. The momentum was with the Knights as they headed to the bottom of the 10th leading 7-6 with righty Jeff Smith (2-5) coming on to pitch fresh off his complete game victory against these same Patten University Lions. Unfortunately for Smith, the bases became loaded after an error, a hit, and an intentional walk which eventually led to a run scored on a passed ball and a game-ending single up the middle. Patten walked off with the 8-7 victory at the end of the night.

On the mound for the Knights, Fletcher went 4.1 innings to match his season-high, allowing four runs on seven hits. He also set a new season-high with three strikeouts in the contest. Kistler pitched the next 3.2 innings and allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts. One final inning of work went to Smith who took the loss after surrendering two runs (one earned) despite matching his season-high with three strikeouts.

The top of the batting order stayed hot for Academy of Art.  Beyond the aforementioned combination of Vargas and Gutierrez, Robbins had his third three-hit game of the season, going 3-for-5 with one run scored. Quinney connected on two hits in the game, a single and a double, in addition to scoring a run while Henderson's one RBI hit in four at-bats was a very significant one as it broke the 6-6 tie.

The Lions were led offensively by right fielder Nick Robertson who went 3-for-5 with four RBIs. In six plate appearances, second baseman David Whiteside got aboard every time, finishing 2-for-3 with three walks, three runs, and one RBI. Starting right-hander Dakota Hatch allowed 6 runs on 11 hits over 6.2 innings of work while striking out seven, but it was reliever Joe Salazar who picked up the win in the end.

A ten-day break now comes for Academy of Art after playing every weekend since the beginning of March. On Apr. 30, the Urban Knights will begin their nine-game Hawaii roadtrip with the first in a five-part series with Hawaii Pacific.