Box Score #1
Box Score #2

Kailua, HI – It seemed as though Mother Nature simply would not allow the Urban Knights Softball to taste victory Monday.

Down 13-1 to Hawaii Pacific at one point in game two, Academy of Art University came back with two big innings and a total of nine runs to make it 13-10 heading into the sixth. However, much like rain halted game two of the series, the series finale was called due to darkness, leaving ART U fans to only imagine what might have happened had things continued. Forced to adapt to Hawaii's unusual weather patterns, the teams saw their doubleheader again delayed due to rain and the venue itself was changed to Kailua High School where surprisingly the sun was shining. Sophomore infielder Lauren Stover tied the program record with four hits in game two, but the Sea Warriors ended up winning both contests, 6-0 and 13-10.

Academy of Art (9-20, 5-9 PacWest) would start game one by loading the bases against Breanne Patton (11-1) though HPU managed to keep the Knights off the scoreboard. It was Hawaii Pacific (17-5, 11-1 PacWest) who then ended up scoring first when Keila Elderts manufactured a run via a single and two stolen bases before scoring on an error in the opening inning.

Both starting pitchers would soon find their groove as the teams exchanged two scoreless innings and junior Kimberly Dauer (6-8) proceeded to retire five of six batters during that span. HPU took a 2-0 lead after scoring run in the fourth, but was denied any more as junior infielder Andrea Hanchey fired to junior catcher Jayme Stewart for final out at home plate. In the sixth, the Sea Warriors plated four runs thanks in large part to a three-run double by Chante Tesoro. Hawaii Pacific would go on to take the day's opener by a final score of 6-0.


Game two was an absolute roller-coaster ride. The Sea Warriors began by taking a 9-0 lead in the first via four hits and two fielding errors, but the Knights were not to be counted out. ART U responded by scoring a run in the second after Stewart roped a two-out double and sophomore outfielder Elyse Cordova caused havoc with her speed by reaching on an error. Cordova would then make her way to third because of the miscue while Stewart scored.

Now 9-1, HPU would add four more unearned runs on four errors in the third and yet Academy of Art was still unfazed. The Knights scored three of their own with four consecutive hits in the third. Sophomore infielder Lauren Stover got it started with a single which was followed by junior infielder Nicole Smith's single and then an RBI single from Hanchey. Senior infielder Genna Allen would provide a big two-run double to cap the rally which made it now 13-4 Hawaii Pacific.

Undeterred by the scoreboard, Academy of Art continued to work its way back beginning with more speed from Cordova. The Tulare, CA native led off the fourth with a single and proceeded to steal a pair of bases before scoring on a groundout by senior outfielder Ashley Lokey.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Urban Knights fought off a potential mercy rule ending starting with a two-out single by freshman Haily MacDonald. She would score on an outfield error which allowed Stewart to go to second and then the runs began to pour in as Cordova singled home Stewart and swiped third to set up a situation for an RBI single from junior Julie Martin. As the inning began to unravel defensively for HPU, Lokey reached on an error and then Stover brought in Martin with an RBI single followed by Lokey scoring via an error on the Sea Warriors pitcher. The five-run rally would end there, but Academy of Art had now incredibly come from down 13-1 to within three, 13-10.

Freshman Kristin Valdivia, who had come in as a relief pitcher, then posted a three up, three down inning in the sixth to bring ART U's offense quickly back to the plate. Though Academy of Art did not score, momentum was clearly on their side and, in an unfortunate turn of events, the umpires called the game in the sixth because of darkness, leaving HPU the 13-10 victory.

“It is hard to win a game with seven errors, but our team did a great job keeping their energy up and fighting against the odds,” head coach Rachel Sherman said. “We did a much better job controlling what we could and not letting the umpire take us out of the game at least until the sixth.”

Stover, who extended her current hit streak to five games with at least one knock in both contests, went 4-for-4 in the series finale, becoming just the eighth Urban Knight ever to log four hits in a game. She added an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Cordova finished game two 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three stolen bases to tie the program's single-game record for the third time in her career.

“Stover is making some great adjustments at the plate and getting some great hits,” Coach Sherman said. “I couldn't be happier for her tying the record. Elyse did a great job on the bases and proved she is capable of leading the conference in steals when she is smart and aggressive on the bases.”

Allen was 1-for-4 in the second contest with a double, two RBIs, and a stolen base while Stewart also added a double and scored twice in her 1-for-4 outing. Hanchey was 2-for-3 in the day's opener and added a 1-for-4 performance with an RBI and a run scored in game two. Similarly to the first game of the series, a total of 12 hits came from eight different Urban Knights in the finale.

Dauer was the victim of some bad luck as she threw 5.2 innings of game one and allowed just one earned run out of six total. Valdivia impressed in her relief appearance as she did not allow a single earned run in her 5.1 innings on the mound.

“Kristin did a great job and I hope she builds off this performance and continues to gain confidence,” Coach Sherman said.

Tesoro, who had the big hit for Hawaii Pacific in game one, finished the day 1-for-8 with four RBIs while Nicole Morrow added five RBIs in game two. HPU's two pitchers from Sunday's doubleheader returned once again with Patton starting off by going 7.0 innings with three hits and no runs allowed. Melissa Kirby (6-3) surrendered 10 runs (three earned) in her 4.2 innings before being lifted in the second contest.

The Urban Knights will continue their Hawaii roadtrip with a new opponent, Chaminade, on Wednesday, Mar. 21. The teams open the mid-week doubleheader at Central Oahu Regional Park with a 4:30 PM HST (7:30 PM PST) first pitch.