Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
Brisbane, CA – The Academy of Art University's softball team concluded their home-stand by hosting Chaminade University in a double header on Monday afternoon. The sun was shinning giving the women a beautiful day for softball and a much needed break from the rain. ART U capitalized on the day and wasted little time getting things going. The Knights came out attacking and quickly took control of the games. ART U kept their streak of powerful pitching and explosive offense alive and defeated the Silverswords 6-1 in game one. The Knights didn't let up in game two and finished that game in five innings with a score of 11-0.
"The team has really come together and been focusing on picking each other up, and trusting the next person to get the job done," exclaimed Head Coach Rachel Sherman. "We have also had a few players step up and take on some leadership which has really helped keep the focus and positivity."
ART U wasted little time in the first game when they got on board in the bottom of the first inning. The women were able to push across three runs to give themselves the early lead. The Urban Knights' offense then went quiet for a few innings until Chaminade threatened their lead with a run of their own in the top of the fourth.
The Knights quickly answered back by scoring three more times in the bottom of the fourth to take a five run lead. The Urban Knights tried to score more, and had several more opportunities for it, but were unable to capitalize on any more of their runners. However, with solid pitching on the mound and flawless defense to back it up, the Knights came away with a 6-1 victory over the visiting Silverswords.
Receiving the win in the game was junior ace Sierrah Garcia. Garcia went all seven innings pitched, giving up seven hits and one earned run. She also recorded seven strikeouts in the game and now has a record of 10-5.
Leading the Knights offensively was freshman Elyse Cordova who went 3-4 with two runs scored, and one run batted in. Also doing well was senior Alana Aweau who went 2-4 with one run scored. Garcia stood out going 2-3, and both junior Genna Allen (who tripled), and freshman Lauren Stover went 1-3 with one run, and two runs batted in.
For the Silverswords, Dumalo led the way going 2-2 with one run batted in. Naiwi did well going 1-3 with one run scored, and Perreira went 1-1 with a double in the game. Receiving the loss is Lalau who went six innings giving up 10 hits, six earned runs, and posted three strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored six runs on 10 hits, committed no errors, and left six runners on base.
Game two began much like the first one. This time the Urban Knights acted as the visiting team (per PacWest rules) and were able to get things going from the start; and never looked back. ART U came out swinging the hot bats and quickly jumped on the board. The team scored four runs in the top of the first inning to take a good lead in the game.
The next two innings were silent offensively, as the Urban Knights relied again on strong pitching to keep their lead in the game. But unlike in game one, the women weren't satisfied with the runs on the board, and came out attacking for more.
ART U pushed across two more runs in the top of the fourth inning, and then tacked on five more runs in the top of the fifth to run away with the game. Chaminade tried to get things going for themselves, but failed to bring in any of their few base runners in the game. At the conclusion of the fifth inning, the Silverswords trailed by too many, and the game was called due to the eight run mercy rule. The Knights came away with an 11-0 victory.
On the mound for the Knights was sophomore Kimberly Dauer. Kim went all five innings allowing just three hits, no runs, and recorded three strikeouts. After the shut-out, her record now improves to 3-3.
Helping lead ART U to their large margin victory was again freshman Elyse Cordova. Cordova continued her successful day going 3-4 in the game with a double, a stolen base, one run, and three RBI. "Elyse had a great day!" added Sherman. "She really read her defense and worked them in several ways. This continually opened up holes for her and allowed her to have great success."
Junior Sierrah Garcia also impressed going 2-3 with a double, one run, and three RBI. Freshman Lauren Stover stood out going 2-4 also with a double, three runs scored, and one run batted in, and sophomore Julie Martin rounded things out going 2-3 with two runs scored, and one run batted in.
"I think the team has a done a great job executing in the last six games. We are moving runners into scoring position, and getting them in. We aren't trying for the big hit, but instead are shortening up and making the defense work," concluded Coach Rachel Sherman.
For Chaminade, Yamaguchi, Harris, and Naiwi recorded the three hits for their team, and all went 1-2 in the game. Lalau started in the circle again, and receives the loss in the game. She went 4.1 innings giving up eight hits, nine runs, and had two strikeouts.
After the sweep, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 17-9 overall, and 9-3 in conference, while Chaminade University's record falls to 7-19 overall, and 3-9 in conference. The Urban Knights now have a few days rest before they hit the road for their next few contests. The women play next on Saturday, April 2nd against Patten University. Game times are set for 1:00 and 3:00 pm in Hayward, CA.
