Games #45 & 46
ART U Urban Knights (22-22, 14-12 PWC) vs. NDNU Argonauts (8-30, 8-18 PWC)
Wednesday, Apr. 19, 2017 at Noon & 2 p.m.
Belmont, Calif. – Notre Dame High School
Live Stats

Games #47 & 48
ART U Urban Knights (22-22, 14-12 PWC) vs. Dominican Penguins (18-26, 15-13 PWC)
Saturday, Apr. 22, 2017 at Noon & 2 p.m.
San Rafael, Calif. – Penguin Field
Live Stats

ACADEMY OF ART SETS OUT ON FINAL ROAD GAMES
After throwing its final pitch of 2017 at Mission Blue Field last weekend, ART U Softball now heads on the road for matchups with local Pacific West Conference opponents in Notre Dame de Namur and Dominican this week.

FIRST PITCH
In mid-week action, ART U travels down the Peninsula to face NDNU at Notre Dame High School in Belmont beginning at noon. The second doubleheader of the week pits Academy of Art against Dominican on the Penguins' home field in San Rafael also at noon. Live coverage will be available via the links above. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights on Twitter & Instagram and "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.Instagram and "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
One of just three PacWest teams collectively hitting over .300, Academy of Art currently ranks third behind No. 22 Dixie State (.334) and No. 17 California Baptist (.323). The Urban Knights' 79 stolen bases (seven off the program's single-season record) are second in the conference and their 70 doubles (14 off the program's single-season record) are tied for second. ART U's top six batting averages collectively increased over the weekend so that now all are over .325 (based on minimum 40 at-bats). Returning to action on Senior Day, freshman infielder Freddie Carrillo picked up right where she left off, registering a run batted in each game. She offers a team-high .391 batting average (sixth in PacWest) plus 20 driven in. Team leader in RBIs, senior outfielder Jessica West has 23 driven in after plating at least one teammate in six of her last eight games. She is hitting .355 with 17 steals (sixth in PacWest) and continues to build upon the program's career walks record (70), patiently taking first 29 times this year to rank third in the PacWest.

Currently riding a team-best nine-game hitting streak, freshman utility Dominique Seva'aetasi has had a hit in 11 of her last 13 at-bats and comes into the week hitting .338. Sophomore infielder Brenna Youngquist is hitting .346 with three home runs and 20 RBIs as well while freshman infielder Gracie Sotomayor comes in with a .329 average and 10 doubles. Sophomore outfielder Juliana Lopez is not far off Sotomayor at .327 on the year after putting up three multi-hit games in her last seven.

Freshman Hannah Rose Balke (19-8) is now one win away from becoming the program's second 20-game winner and she remains one of the top pitchers in the conference as well. Her 164.1 innings pitched are first by almost 20 innings, she has the third-most strikeouts (113), and a 2.94 earned run average (16th in the PacWest). Opponents are hitting just .222 against her (seventh in PacWest) as she continues to vie for the conference's Freshman of the Year.

ARGOS APPEAR AGAIN
The Urban Knights swept Notre Dame de Namur on Mar. 10 and though the Argonauts picked up five wins thereafter, they entered into a current stretch that has seen one win and 18 losses since Mar. 29. Most recently, NDNU's Senior Day saw them go into eight innings against Hawaii Pacific, but ultimately fall in both contests. Giana Gesler is the Argos' top hitter with a .307 batting average and 17 runs scored. Audree Vicory (5-12) has handled the most work in the circle (113.0 innings pitched) with a 4.71 ERA plus 12 complete games. Historically, ART U is now 17-18 versus Notre Dame de Namur.

ANOTHER DOMINICAN DUEL
After splitting with Academy of Art back on Feb. 23, Dominican posted three more splits, but hit their stride with eight of nine wins during a homestand prior to Tournament of Champions. The Penguins went 2-4 in the TOC, defeated Chaminade in their return home, then dropped six straight in Southern California. Catlyn Cavender is hitting a team-best .326 with eight doubles and four triples while Katelyn Harden (12-8) has the most innings pitched (139.1) and the lowest ERA (2.56) on the squad. Coming into this weekend, the Knights hold a 22-10 lead in the all-time series with the Penguins.

SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH HAWKS ON SENIOR DAY
Setting up its final two home games of the season on Apr. 15, Academy of Art University softball celebrated its three seniors, outfielder Mariah Latham, pitcher Alexa Peters, and outfielder Jessica West, prior to first pitch against Holy Names. All three contributed to the Urban Knights' 7-6 victory in the opener, however, the Hawks responded by taking game two 4-2 behind a quality outing from their starting pitcher.

LOOKING AHEAD
One final gameday remains on ART U's 2017 schedule at the conclusion of this week. It will be an Apr. 29 matchup with Dixie State in St. George, Utah.