Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
Brisbane, CA – Today was the Academy of Art University's softball team's second annual “Swing for a Cause.” In their double header against Dominican University, ART U wore special edition gold jerseys to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. The Urban Knights came out with enthusiasm and were ready to play, and quickly got things going in the games. After suffering two loses the previous day, the Knights were ready to turn things around and get back on the winning side. After four hours of softball and fundraising, ART U came away with a sweep over the Penguins winning game one with a score of 10-2 (in 5 innings), and game two with a score of 5-2.
“After yesterday we knew we needed to show up and make adjustments, so we started each game more focused and were aggressive on the bases,” exclaimed Head Coach Rachel Sherman.
The Urban Knights followed Coach Sherman's game plan and quickly got on the board in game one. The Knights' first five batters reached base safely, and the team was able to score twice in the bottom of the first inning to take an early lead. However, the Penguins fought back and answered with two runs of their own in the top of the second to tie the game. ART U quickly rebounded when sophomore Andrea Hanchey homered to left field giving her team the lead again.
The Knights would then put up four more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and one more final run in the sixth to take an eight run lead. Being that far ahead in the sixth inning put the mercy run-rule into effect, and ART U came away with a 10-2 victory.
The win was a complete team effort. The Knights were able to get their offense going once again, and their defense stepped up to back their strong pitching performance. “We talked about staying patient and looking for our pitch,” added Sherman. “That helped us a lot offensively early in the game.”
Leading the Knights offensively was Hanchey who went 2-2 with one home run, three runs scored, and one run batted in. Freshman Elyse Cordova also stood out going 3-4 with two runs, one run batted in, and three stolen bases. Junior Genna Allen finished the game going 1-3 with one run, and two RBI, while freshman Lauren Stover went 1-2 with three runs batted in.
Junior Sierrah Garcia received the win in the game going all six innings pitched. She allowed just two hits, one earned run, and had five strikeouts in her outing.
Leading the Penguins, was Robyn Ridpath who went 1-2 with a double, and two runs batted in, while Jill Rizo, and Shawna Robb both scored one run in the game. Receiving the loss was Shawna Robb who went five innings pitched giving up eight hits, six earned runs, and had no strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored 10 runs on eight hits, and recorded one error.
Game two began very similar for ART U. The women came out even stronger and again got on the board right away. Acting as the visiting team per Pacific West Conference rules, the Urban Knights scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Freshman Elyse Cordova doubled then advanced to third on a bunt single by junior Genna Allen. With runners on second and third, sophomore Jayme Stewart singled up the middle scoring both Cordova and Allen to give her team the lead.
Just as in game one, Dominican came back right away and matched the Knights' two runs, with two runs of their own, in the bottom of the inning. Keeping the tradition of repeating the first game, ART U regained control of things when they pushed across three more runs in the top of the second.
Both team's pitchers then settled down and kept the opposing teams quiet for the remainder of the game. ART U threatened with runners in scoring positions several times, but was unable to capitalize on any of their runners. After getting all of the scoring done in the first two innings, the Urban Knights came away with a 5-2 victory.
“Being 4-0 [in conference] gives us confidence going into the rest of conference,” said Coach Rachel Sherman. “We have been able to work on certain things and learn a lot from these four games.”
ART U's pitcher, sophomore Kim Dauer had a great game for her team. She came in for relief for freshman Katie Brooks who started the game, but was pulled for injury reasons after the first. Brooks gave up three hits and two earned runs in her one inning of work, before Dauer came in and shut-out the Penguins' offense. Dauer went 5.2 innings pitched allowing just two hits, no runs, and posted four strikeouts in the game. She received the win for the Knights.
“Kim did a great job! Her rise ball was money and she used all her other pitches to set it up,” added Coach Sherman.
Stewart had a great game for the Urban Knights. She went 3-4 with four runs batted in, and a double. Stover also put up good numbers going 3-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Sophomore Julie Martin did well going 2-3 with one run, and freshman Elyse Cordova rounded out her impressive day going 1-2 with two runs scored, and a double in the game.
For Dominican, Dominique Perry led going 1-2 with a double, and two runs batted in, Kellie Hislop went 1-3 with one run, and Molly Howard finished the game going 1-3 with one run scored. Receiving the loss was Jessi Saaty who went all seven innings pitched giving up 12 hits, five earned runs, and had four strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored five runs on 12 hits, and had no errors in the game.
After the sweep, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 12-6 overall, and 4-0 in conference, while Dominican University's record falls to 1-14 overall, and 0-4 in conference. The Urban Knights play again on Wednesday, March 16th when they face Humboldt State in a double header. Game times are set for 12:00 and 2:00 pm in Arcata, CA.
