Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Brisbane, CA – After a two hour rain delay, the Academy of Art University's softball team managed to catch a break in the weather long enough to host Hawaii-Hilo on Friday afternoon. The Knights came out ready to play, and were un-phased by the weather conditions around them. Both games proved to be pitching duels that were backed by strong defense. The Knights used a late inning rally in the first game to take the game 2-1 resulting from a walk-off hit. Game two was similar to the first, however, it was Hilo that caught the late inning rally, and ART U dropped the second game 0-1.
“I was very proud of the team today,” exclaimed Head Coach Rachel Sherman. “I think we worked well together, had great energy, mental toughness, and did the little things.”
Hilo got things going right away in game one. They Vulcans managed to score one run in the top of the first inning to take the early lead. But the Knights' pitching then buckled down, and shut out the Vulcans for the remainder of the game. Solid defense backed ART U's pitcher, and the women were able to keep their opponents from scoring any more runs.
Hilo's pitcher was also doing a good job holding the Urban Knights scoreless. But in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Knights finally got things going for themselves. Junior Genna Allen led the inning off with a single. She then proceeded to steal second and third. Then with one out, sophomore Andrea Hanchey hit a soft grounder to second base, scoring Allen from third. That run not only got the Knights on the board, but tied the game going into the late innings.
Both teams' offense's remained quiet for the next couple of innings, and the game was still tied heading into the seventh inning. After ART U got out of their defensive innings unscathed, the Knights had the momentum going their way for the bottom of the seventh. Then with two outs, freshman Elyse Cordova singled, and advanced to second on a throwing error. Sophomore Lauren Stover then stepped up to the plate. She singled to center-field, and Cordova was able to score from second. That walk-off single gave the Knights the go-ahead run, and the women won with a final score of 2-1.
Junior Sierrah Garcia pitched an outstanding game for the Knights. She went all seven innings pitched allowing just two hits, and one earned run. She also posted eight strikeouts while recording the win for her team.
The ART U offensive charge was led by Cordova who went 2-3 with a stolen base, and the game winning run. Also doing well was Julie Martin who went 2-3, and Allen who went 1-2 with two stolen bases, and one run scored. Four other Urban Knight players recorded a hit in the game.
For the Vulcans, Kanani Numata went 1-2 with a home run, one run scored, and one run batted in, and Bryanna Hardy also went 1-2 in the game. Receiving the loss was Christina Pedroza who went 6.2 innings pitched, gave up nine hits, two runs, and posted four strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored two runs on nine hits, committed no errors, and left eight runners on base.
The Knights came out with a lot of energy in game two and again relied on their pitching and defense to carry them through the game. Game two quickly proved to be a pitching duel. ART U was able to get runners on base; however, they struggled getting any runners in. The game was scoreless going back and forth for the entire game.
ART U tried to back their pitching performance when they threatened with runners in scoring position, but again the Knights could not capitalize on any of their base runners. The Vulcans also threatened with runners on, but neither team was able to adjust to the opposing team's pitching to break the scoreless tie. The game was still tied 0-0 heading into the seventh inning.
Acting as the visiting team per PacWest conference rules, the Urban Knights went three up, three down in the top of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Vulcans managed to put some runners on, and they were finally able to capitalize on them, when a single to right field scored a runner from third. That single run was enough to give the Vulcans the lead, and the Knights fell with a final score of 0-1.
Sophomore pitcher Kimberly Dauer received the loss despite pitching a tremendous game for her team. She went 6.2 innings pitched giving up just two hits, one earned run, and had four strikeouts in the game.
Coach Sherman added, “Both pitchers did great! They mixed all their pitches, got ahead in the count, and hit their spots which kept the offense off balance.”
Leading the Urban Knights offensively was Alana Aweau who went 1-3, and Andrea Hanchey who also went 1-3, while Melissa Coe rounded things out for her team going 1-2 in the game.
For the Vulcans, Tessa Truong led going 1-3 with one run scored, and Brittany Spencer went 1-2 with one run batted in. They were the only two Vulcans to record hits in the game. Receiving the win was Amber Waracka who went seven innings pitched giving up three hits, and posted three strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored no runs on three hits, recorded three errors, and left three runners on.
“Our pitchers threw well today which will give us confidence for tomorrow; and the rest of the team is mentally focused and ready to take on the defending national champions,” closed Coach Rachel Sherman.
After the split, the Academy of Art University's record is at 14-8 overall, and 6-2 in conference, while Hawaii Hilo's record is at 9-8 overall, and 7-3 in conference. The Urban Knights play again tomorrow, March 26th when they host Hawaii Pacific University. Tomorrow's double header is also ART U's “Youth Day.” Game times are set for 12:00 and 2:00 pm at Mission Blue Field.
