ST. GEORGE, Utah – Sending their No. 1 and 2 starters to the hill, Academy of Art baseball looked to snag a win or two on Friday against Dixie State. However, the Trailblazers' offensive prowess and stifling pitching shut down the Urban Knights in the doubleheader, giving DSU a 3-0 lead in the four-game series.
 
GAME ONE:
 
The Trailblazers took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, scoring their runs after a pair of two-out errors and an attempted steal. Dixie did not look back afterwards, scoring all of their runs in five of the first six frames, taking the contest 11-0.
 
ART U got their first runners into scoring position in the sixth inning when, with two outs, junior outfielder Kyle McGraw hit a first-pitch single to left field which was followed by a double down the left-field line by junior infielder Michael Maleski. However, with runners at second and third, the Knights could not put a dent in the deficit as the following batter flew out to center.
 
Academy of Art threatened once again in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs on a pair of singles and a hit batsman. Unfortunately, ART U could not cash in as the side was retired on the very next pitch.
 
GAME TWO:
 
In the second game of Friday's doubleheader and the third of the series, Dixie State was able to swing the momentum in their favor once again by jumping out in front in the second inning. From there, the Trailblazers strung together three more consecutive scoring innings and won the game 5-0.
 
The Urban Knights recorded a hit in each of the first three innings, but none of those runners advanced beyond first until the seventh. With a pair of base hits in the frame, ART U managed to put runners at the corners with two outs. However, the Knights were denied their first scoring opportunity of the day when final batter was sent down swinging.
 
Game three of the series snapped a two-game complete-game streak for junior right-hander Luke Lacy as the Valencia, Calif. native lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk.
 
ART U will return to Bruce Hurst Field one last time on Saturday, looking to salvage a game before returning home. First pitch is set for Noon MT.