OAKLAND, Calif. – Returning to Laney College to open a three-game series with SF State on Saturday, Academy of Art University baseball battled back against an early 2-0 deficit, scoring in the eighth inning, but the Gators held on to win 2-1. Senior pitcher Brett Bovee (1-1) did not allow an earned run in his second start of the season.

"Brett again turned in a quality start that was more than enough to help us win," said head coach Dan McDermott. "We had some catch and throw problems in the first inning that kept us on our heels through the middle innings."

Two errors in the top of the first inning allowed a pair of run-scoring singles to produce SF State's first and only two runs of the game. ART U quickly had their own runner in scoring position in the first when senior infielder Erick Luna extended his four-game hitting streak with a two-out double, but he was left stranded.

Despite facing runners at second in both the second and third innings, Bovee found his rhythm, retiring 11 consecutive Gators across the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh. The senior's counterpart, SF State's Ryan Bohnet (1-0) played his part in the pitchers' duel with hits allowed in just two of his 6.0 innings on the mound.

Both teams' bullpens would take the over in the late innings and Sal Johnson kept SFSU off the scoreboard the rest of the way. In the eighth, two walks forced the Gators to call upon their closer, Brent Montgomery, who induced a double play ball, allowed a run on a wild pitch, but then got out of a jam with one final groundout and pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the 2-1 win.

"Sal threw two outstanding innings in relief," said McDermott. "It is unfortunate that we did not put more pressure on SF State in the middle innings as that is where most games are won or lost."

The Urban Knights are now 1-4 overall this season. Jones was 2-for-4 on the day with a stolen base while Luna finished 1-for-4 with a double. Bovee ended up throwing exactly 100 pitches through 7.0 innings with two runs allowed (none earned) on seven hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. Johnson did not allow a run nor a hit in his 2.0 relief innings while striking out two.

SF State is 1-0 as Saturday served as the Gators' opening day. Bryce Brooks stood out with a 2-for-4 day that included a double and a RBI. Bohnet picked up the win after allowing just two hits and no runs through 6.0 innings with five strikeouts. Montgomery earned his first save with two scoreless innings of relief.

Academy of Art finishes off its weekend series with SF State tomorrow back at Laney College. A nine-inning and seven-inning doubleheader will get underway at noon.

"I am so proud of the players on this team as they know the best days are ahead," said McDermott. "Until then, we will continue to polish our game and work on getting better every day."