Games #10 & 11
ART U Urban Knights (1-8, 0-0 PWC) vs. Biola Eagles (3-2, 0-0 PWC)
Friday, February 21, 2020 at 4 & 6 p.m.
La Mirada, Calif. – Freedom Field
Live Stats & Live Video

Games #10 & 11
ART U Urban Knights (1-8, 0-0 PWC) vs. Biola Eagles (3-2, 0-0 PWC)
Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Noon & 2 p.m.
La Mirada, Calif. – Freedom Field
Live Stats & Live Video

Games #12 & 13
ART U Urban Knights (1-8) vs. Sonoma State Seawolves (5-8)
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Noon & 2 p.m.
Rohnert Park, Calif. – Seawolf Softball Field
Live Stats | Live Video

URBAN KNIGHTS FACE EAGLES IN FIRST CONFERENCE SERIES, SSU NEXT WEEK
In the first of what will be nine four-game series versus Pacific West Conference opponents, Academy of Art softball continues its road-heavy month of February by traveling to La Mirada to face Biola. Following the start of PacWest play this Friday and Saturday, ART U will take on Sonoma State in the early part of next week.

FIRST PITCH
Split over two days, the Urban Knights are set to challenge Biola in a 4 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 21 then close the series with a noon twinbill on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Freedom Field. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Academy of Art makes its way to Seawolf Softball Field in Rohnert Park for pair against Sonoma State starting at noon. Live coverage will be available via the links above. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights via the athletics app (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) and on Twitter & Instagram as well as "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
Leading Academy of Art on the offensive end, senior infielder Gracie Sotomayor is hitting .348 with two doubles, two runs batted in, and four stolen bases through the year's first nine games. Sotomayor along with junior utility Alyssa Rasmussen and senior outfielder Gabi Hirsch have accounted for 10 of the team's 13 stolen bases (third in PacWest). Junior utility Cecilia Lopez checks in with a .250 batting average plus two RBIs, tied with Sotomayor as well as junior catcher Lauryn Henderson and freshman infielder Haley Randall for the team lead.

In the pitcher's circle, Lopez (0-3) has put together a 3.85 earned run average to date while surrendering just five walks (tied with PacWest Preseason Pitcher of the Year Callie Nunes for the fewest among pitchers with 20.0 or more innings pitched). Senior Hannah Rose Balke (1-4) has a team-best 17 strikeouts through 26.2 innings pitched.

EAGLES ENCOUNTER
Starting the year with the Concordia Kick-Off Classic, Biola swept the first day's matchups against Stanislaus State and Cal State East Bay, fell to Cal State Dominguez Hills and Chico State on the second day, and ended by edging Cal State San Marcos. Picked to finish fourth in the conference standings, the Eagles have yet to begin its PacWest slate. BU carries the PacWest Preseason Player of the Year in Kayla Neff (.357 batting average) as well as Preseason All-PacWest Softball Team selection Paige Austin (2-1) whose 1.68 ERA leads Biola's collective second-lowest ERA in the conference. Ranked third and fourth in the conference in batting average, Ruth Munoz (.571) and Ari Gonzales (.538) have combined for 22 total bases thus far. After not facing Biola last season due to inclement weather, the teams' historical matchup has been split 1-1.

KNOWING NOMA
In the Desert Stinger Tournament, Sonoma State followed a similar progression as ART U, falling in its first four contests before ending on a 9-2 victory over host Montana State Billings. Since that time, the Seawolves have gone 3-3, splitting four-part series with UC San Diego and SF State. For the 5-8 SSU squad, Giana Hays' .417 batting average paces the team while Jordyn Martinez is the RBI leader with 10 thus far. Defensively, Teresa Danenberg (2-2) offers the lowest ERA on the team (1.22) with 16 strikeouts in 23.0 innings pitched. In 15 previous meetings, Sonoma State has come away with a 13-2 record versus the Urban Knights.

ACADEMY OF ART FIGHTS BACK IN GAME 2, SF STATE PREVAILS
In its second straight Tuesday matchup with a California Collegiate Athletic Association opponent, Academy of Art softball ended up dropping a doubleheader on the road at SF State on Feb. 18. Early offense from the Gators helped them secure an 8-0 win in a five-inning opening contest before the Urban Knights fought back to tie the second game 2-2. SFSU would get the difference-making run in the bottom of the sixth, however, and walked away with a 3-2 victory.

LOOKING AHEAD
ART U's first home games of the season, a doubleheader hosting Dominican on Feb. 29, will begin a stretch of 12 straight at Mission Blue Field in Brisbane.