Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Moraga, CA --- On a sunny day at Louis Guisto Baseball Field at St. Mary's College, the Academy of Art University baseball team (4-30 overall, 2-20 PacWest) dropped a pair of decisions, 7-0 and 15-5, to Grand Canyon University (23-17 overall, 13-9 PacWest). Junior second baseman Ryan Worley finished the day 2-for-6 with two stolen bases and one run scored while sophomore centerfielder Johnathan Robbins was 2-for-5 overall with a season-high three steals in game two along with two runs scored.
"Any good team will always have speed guys at the top of the lineup because they manufacture runs," Head Coach Brian Guinn said. "That's always an advantage and it goes back to the Rickey Henderson days where he wreaked havoc all over baseball. We have two guys who can do that and we're trying to get other players to help drive them home."
The Antelopes put up two runs in the first inning and though they threatened in the second, freshman starting right-hander Jeff Smith (1-4) got out of the jam with no further damage done. When GCU led off the third inning with a home run and started to rally, Smith was replaced by sophomore lefty reliever Zach Mexicano. Mexicano would pitch well, allowing just one run over the next three innings.
Academy of Art did have scoring opportunities in the third when freshman shortstop Stefen Hendersonhit a one-out single sharply up the middle. Worley followed with a bunt single, but he had to try to make something happen on his own after Henderson was thrown out at third on the play. Two stolen bases later, Worley had put himself on third with two outs and was later left stranded.
Mexicano had his best inning of the day in the sixth when he needed just 11 pitches to retire the side. He was the benefactor of a double play turned by third baseman Kenny Rollins, Jr. and Worley. The 'Lopes did add two more runs in the seventh and they would go on to take the 7-0 victory.
Smith completed 2.2 innings on the mound in his start and was assigned the loss after four runs (three earned) on seven hits with one strikeout. Mexicano came in to finish off the final 4.1 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with three strikeouts.
After a three-run first for GCU in the second game, the Knights managed to get one run back again using their speed. Robbins reached on a fielder's choice and proceeded to swipe second and third base over the next two batters. He was on third base very briefly, however, because a balk by the Grand Canyon starting pitcher sent him to home plate.
The Knights now trailed 3-1 heading into the second inning and unfortunately for the home squad, the 'Lopes' bats did not cool off. After plating eight runs across the next three innings while keeping AAU scoreless, the visitors built upon their advantage.
In the bottom of the fifth, Academy of Art surged offensively. Henderson sparked the rally with a single and the Urban Knights unleashed four consecutive hits thereafter. Worley doubled Henderson home and Robbins sped to first on a bunt single to put runners on the corners for junior designated hitter Darnell Quinney. His clutch single combined with the quickness of Worley and Robbins led to a pair of RBIs for Quinney on the play. Senior right fielder Mike Gutierrez had the final single of the hit parade and Quinney later scored on a ground out.
It was our turn to have a run and hitting is contageous and we're capable of putting up a lot of runs. At some point in time, w'er going to be explosive and it's coming around.
AAU was behind 15-5 an inning later, however, and that score would hold up through the seventh resulting in a win for GCU. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Kallen Fletcher (1-1) took the hill to start game two for the Knights and threw 2.1 innings with ten runs allowed (eight earned) on eight hits. In Fletcher's relief, freshman righty Spencer Roland pitched a season-high 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
"Having two lefties like Mexicano and Roland in the bullpen that can give us three to five innings will help us in the future and especially in the near future," Coach Guinn said. "Hopefully they will be building up their arm strength and continue to do a good job."
After five Urban Knights reached base in the first game, AAU's bats heated up in game two. Robbins and Worley were both speed threats as the leadoff batters combined to go 4-for-11 with five stolen bases, three runs scored, and one RBI. With his two steals in the first contest, Worley increased his stolen base streak to seven games while Robbins tied his season-high of three steals in game two.
"It's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together," Coach Guinn said. "I'm blessed to have two guys who steal bases and do a pretty good job at it. Coach Felder and myself had some chances to steal bags when we played and we're just giving these guys some valuable info to help them."
Quinney, who had a hit in game one, batted in two of his teammates in the second contest, walked twice, and also scored a run. He is now currently riding a career-high five-game hitting streak.
"Darnell just needs to get more at-bats," Coach Guinn said. "The more at-bats he gets, the better he's going to become. He's already developing consistency with his swing path and his approach to hitting so he'll keep getting better as we go."
Right fielder Tyler Bair had the best day at the plate for Grand Canyon, going 6-for-9 with six RBI, two runs scored, and two stolen bases in the doubleheader. Lefty Jeff Urlaub (4-2) pitched a complete-game shutout to earn the win in the first contest. In 7.0 innings of work, Urlaub allowed no runs on four hits with five strikeouts. Game two's victory went to righty Chris Shelley (1-0) who threw 2.0 innings on the mound after a solid 3.0 innings from lefty Danny Skelly who made the start.
The series between the Knights and Antelopes concludes tomorrow morning with a doubleheader that is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM. A fan bus is scheduled to depart 620 Sutter Street at 12:00 PM and will arrive for the second contest. This pair of games will be the final two played at Louis Guisto Baseball Field this season.
