ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Urban Knights dominated on both sides of the ball at Seawolf Diamond on Tuesday, defeating Sonoma State 4-2.
 
Although ART U did not see a runner cross the plate in their first six innings, they were an offensive threat almost every time up, reaching base in every frame except for the eighth. The Urban Knights' offense finally broke through for four runs in the top of the seventh, stringing together four hits from senior catcher Zack Trueblood, freshman designated hitter Daniel Farfan, senior first baseman Brett Adami, and redshirt junior second baseman Erick Luna. Luna, senior left fielder Greg Ivory, and junior shortstop Payton Milone were each credited with a run batted in, but the last run scored when Milone forced Sonoma State's Rupert Watson to make a fielding error at second base with the bases loaded.
 
ART U's success was also largely attributed to effective pitching. "On the mound, we had outstanding efforts from five different players," noted head coach Dan McDermott.
 
The second-year head coach did well mixing and matching his staff as they combined for zero earned runs. Junior left-hander Alexander Kuisel started the game for ART U and tossed 2.2 innings on four hits and one walk before being replaced by junior Cody Ball who resided on the hill for 3.1 innings (one hit). Redshirt freshman Robert Villanueva also added a no-hit inning before junior Josh Lopez and freshman Roman Martinez combined to finish the final two innings. The two runs charged to Lopez's line in the eighth inning were both unearned.
 
Academy of Art's offense was fueled by timely hitting from several key players. Senior right fielder Cody Edmunds was 2-for-4 on the day with a triple while Milone, Ivory, and Trueblood each singled and were each credited with a run batted in.
 
"For us, it came down to pitching and defense," explained McDermott. "We have been playing hard as a team the entire season…things are starting to come together and the results are generally positive."
 
The Urban Knights are now 3-4 on the season, winning three out of their previous four contests. This week, ART U will have the next two days off from competition before taking on San Francisco State in a weekend series that features two home games on February 19 and 21 and one game at SF State on the 20th.