AZUSA, Calif. – Entering the series as the hottest team in the PacWest, Academy of Art looked to find a way to come away victorious against No. 1 Azusa Pacific. However, the Cougars mixed effective pitching with strong offense to take the first game of the series in Azusa, 9-0.
 
APU struck early and often, taking a 3-0 lead in the first and then adding on in the second, fourth, and fifth frames. The Urban Knights' first hit came in the second when junior infielder Angel Mora lined a single into center field. However, the Cougars' Isaiah Carranza was nearly untouchable, tossing a complete-game shutout with 10 strikeouts, three hits, and one walk. ART U threatened twice with runners in scoring position in both the second and seventh innings, but unable to capitalize, the Urban Knights suffered just their first loss in the last seven games.

Senior right-hander Luke Lacy departed the contest after 4.0 innings of work, making way for junior righty Mason Verhees. Verhees allowed just three hits in 3.0 innings, allowing three unearned runs (a 3-run home run to Tim Lichty in the fifth). Making his collegiate pitching debut, freshman righty Noah Daubin entered the game in the ninth and tossed a scoreless inning, allowing just one hit in the process. The three Urban Knights to record a hit were: Mora, junior outfielder Taj Dawson and senior outfielder Kyle McGraw who came through with a pinch-hit to right field in the ninth inning.
 
Still with three more games to play in the series, Academy of Art will return to Cougar Baseball Field on Friday for a doubleheader which has been moved up to Noon in an attempt to avoid the incoming rain. Click  here to watch and for live stats.