BRISBANE, Calif. – In just the team's second time competing at home this season, Academy of Art softball rallied for multiple runs in nearly half of its 12 innings to achieve a sweep of Menlo on Friday at Mission Blue Field. Consistent offense elevated the Urban Knights to a 7-0 lead through the day's first three frames while freshman pitcher Kamielle Powell (3-5) shut down the Oaks' bats for an eventual 9-1 win in six innings. Menlo lead early in the second contest, but ART U produced four runs as the sun began to set on a 5-2 victory.

"We played our game today and, even though they scored first in the second game, we answered back," said Assistant Coach Angelica Terrel." We knew we were going to come back and looked very calm and confident doing so."

GAME 1 – ART U 9, MENLO 1 (6)
Using the momentum from a double play in the opening frame, Academy of Art initiated its first rally with a single and a steal by junior infielder Haley Randall ahead of a run-scoring single by freshman infielder Audrey Allen. Senior outfielder Bethany Mitchell then roped a triple to right field, driving in Allen, and junior infielder Katie Humphreys concluded the hit parade with her own single to plate Mitchell.

The hits continued in the second as junior utility Cailee Grayhorse-Pupecki set the table with a double before Randall and Allen each connected on run-scoring singles. Powell shut down the Oaks in order in the third as her team furthered its advantage to 7-0 on a two-run single off the bat of sophomore infielder Elle Edeker.

Though Menlo did scratch across an unearned run in the fifth, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Sydney Harmon (0-0) hung tough in her second relief appearance of the season. Teetering on triggering the run-rule, the Knights came through in the sixth when Randall and Allen both scored on Mitchell's game-ending double for the 9-1 result.

GAME 2 – ART U 5, MENLO 2
A scoreless first inning gave way to Menlo striking first in the second contest as a two-run homer by Alyssa Rodne came in the second frame. Senior pitcher Haley Arnold-Jolley (0-4) denied any further damage over the remainder of her four innings, departing with Academy of Art facing a 2-1 deficit after Allen's run-scoring single in the third.

Momentum shifted significantly in the fifth when a two-out double by Allen tied the game then Mitchell doubled home her teammate one pitch later. Another shutdown inning by Powell set ART U up for insurance runs in the sixth as Edeker walked, was soon bunted and singled to third (where she greeted her sister Lara), then scored on Allen's sixth run batted in of the day. When the dust settled, it was a 5-2 advantage for the Knights.

Pitching around an error in the seventh, Powell picked up her second win of the afternoon after completing a grand total of 7.0 scoreless innings with just two hits allowed and five strikeouts. She faced just four baserunners in the doubleheader.

 

"Our pitchers trusted their defense today," said Head Coach Nikki Gentile. "They did a great job getting results and relying on their teammates. They really worked together as a group today and it was really good to see."

Academy of Art moves to 3-9 overall this season after significant production came from the top of the lineup in Randall and Allen who combined to go 10-for-14 with six runs batted in, seven runs scored, two doubles, and two stolen bases. Mitchell went 3-for-7 on the day, driving in four runs with two doubles and one triple while Edeker finished the opening contest 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Menlo, who drops to 2-8 on the year, was limited to no more than five hits in either contest and had just two Oaks, Sofia Quintero and Rodne, account for the team's three runs batted in.

Awaiting ART U next week will be the start of Pacific West Conference play as the Urban Knights travel to Azusa Pacific for a four-game series starting Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.

"We want to carry those confident bats over to next week," Gentile said. "We're back to multiple people getting hits, scoring, and driving in runs. We want to continue building on the foundation that we're laying."