Brisbane, CA – On the opening day of conference play, Academy of Art University's softball team faced Dominican University Saturday afternoon. The Urban Knights were ready to play and it showed right away. ART U got things going first in both games and never faltered, as it was a complete team effort throughout the day. Strong pitching, defense, and offense gave the Knights what they needed to take control of the games. The women shut-out the Penguins in both games winning with scores of 11-0, and 8-0 in five innings.

“I think the team worked really well together today,” exclaimed Head Coach Rachel Sherman. “Catchers called great games for their pitchers, outfield did a great job making some clutch plays, and offensively we stuck to a plan and saw it all come together for a great team win.”

 Acting as the visiting team in game one, ART U immediately showed they were ready for the start of conference play when they got things going early on. In the top of the second inning, the Urban Knights got on the board when senior Alana Aweau scored from third on a ground out. The ladies kept things going when they rallied in the third to push across two more runs. Freshman Elyse Cordova scored from second off a double by freshman Lauren Stover. Stover would end up scoring one batter later when junior Genna Allen singled to center-field.

The Knight's pitcher, freshman Katie Brooks, was outstanding on the mound for her team. She was shutting down Dominican's batters left and right. With her powerful pitching performance, it seemed as though the Knight's three run lead would be enough in the game. But the Urban Knights were thirsty for more.

In the top of the fourth inning, ART U scored six more runs on four hits to expand their lead to eight. Still, the women were not satisfied. They managed to score two more runs in the top of the fifth to round out their game. And Brooks had not allowed a Penguin's batter to score in the game. At the conclusion of the fifth inning the game was called due to the eight run-rule. ART U won with a final score of 11-0.

All but two Urban Knights batters recorded hits in the game. Sophomore Alyssa Hickey led by going 2-3 with one run batted in. Stover had a great game for her team going 2-4 with a double, three runs scored, and one run batted in, and Allen also did well going 2-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Brooks received the win in the game going all five innings pitched. She allowed six hits and posted four strikeouts in the game. Her record improves to 3-1 overall. “Jayme [Stewart] called a very good game for Katie, and they worked together to keep them [Dominican] off-balance working both sides of the plate,” said Coach Sherman.

For the Penguins, Shawna Robb had a good game going 2-2, while her teammate Molly Howard went 2-3. Receiving the loss for her team was Jessi Saaty who went 3.2 innings pitched giving up eight hits, two walks, and had two strikeouts.

The Urban Knights scored 11 runs on nine hits, and recorded two errors in the game.

ART U allowed the momentum from game one to carry over into the second game. Again the women came out attacking and showed no signs of slowing. Just as in game one, the Knights got things going early when they posted one run in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Alana Aweau reached on a bunt single, and was moved into scoring position by sophomore Alyssa Hickey. Sophomore Nicole Smith then stepped up to the plate and came up clutch for her team when she doubled to left field to score Aweau from second.

The Knights continued to apply offensive pressure when they scored two more runs in the bottom of the third, and four more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Up by seven with just one run needed for the run-rule to go into effect, Aweau stepped up to the plate. With complete confidence, Aweau took a powerful swing, and launched a home run over the center-field fence. That home run gave the Knights the last run they were looking for, and so the senior came up with yet another walk-off hit for her team. ART U ended up winning the game with a score of 8-0.

Again, the Urban Knights' offense was backed by top-notch pitching. Sophomore Kim Dauer was in the circle and threw a tremendous game for her team. She too was able to shut-out the Penguin's offense. The Knights also had great defense which kept them out of trouble in the games. The women did everything in their power to keep the Dominican batters from reaching base, and they were successful in their efforts.

“The team works hard at practice, and we focus on the scouting report and work all week on what the upcoming opponent throws,” said Sherman. “We focus on situational and clutch hitting almost every day, and the team is doing a great job of carrying over the week's practice into the games.”

Leading the Urban Knights offensively in the game was Aweau. She went 2-3 with a walk-off home run, two runs scored, and one run batted in. Sophomore Julie Martin also had a great game going 2-3 with a double, one run scored, and two runs batted in. Junior Genna Allen continued her hot hitting streak by also going 2-3 with one run, one RBI, and a stolen base.

Dauer received the win in the game and went all five innings pitched giving up just two hits, and posting six strikeouts in her outing. The victory brings her record to 1-1. “Hickey did a great job working with Kim's strengths to have a great pitching performance,” added Coach Rachel Sherman.

For Dominican, Shawna Robb went 1-2, as did Dominique Perry. Shawna Robb recorded the loss in the game going four innings pitched giving up eight hits, and posting two strikeouts.

The Urban Knights scored eight runs on seven hits, and recorded one error.

After the sweep, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 9-3 overall, and 2-0 in conference play, while Dominican University's record falls to 1-10 overall, and 0-2 in conference. The Urban Knights continue their home stand next week when they host Oregon Institute of Technology on Friday, March 10^th. Game times are set for 12:00 and 2:00 at Mission Blue Field.