Laie, Hi—On day two of the four day road trip, the Academy of Art University Softball team faced BYU Hawaii Monday afternoon. Both teams battled hard through the games and again pitching played a major role in the outcomes. With little offense the Urban Knights dropped the first game to the BYU Seasiders with a final score of 2-1 ending in the eighth inning. But the Academy of Art University came back strong for the second game and beat the Seasiders with a final score of 2-0.
Box Score #1
Game one had a slow start, as both team's pitchers were keeping the opposing team's batters off balance. With few hits, the game was scoreless until the late innings of the game. It wasn't until the top of the seventh inning that the Urban Knights finally got some offense going.
Sophomore Carissa Nichole Perales started the seventh inning with a double to right field. But the next two batters were unable to move her over. With two outs and Perales still at first, Junior Ashley Roy came up big for her team with a single up the middle. There was a play at the plate, but Perales was able to score on Roy's single. That would be the only run the Academy of Art University would score that inning, and they hoped that would be a big enough lead to hold the Seasiders for one more inning. But BYU Hawaii answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, forcing the game into extra innings.
The Urban Knights were unable to push across any runs in the eighth inning, despite getting their first two batters on base. It was then the Seasiders turn to bat. The Urban Knights got the first two hitters out, but the next batter hit a solo shot homerun over the left field fence, ending the game. After the walk off homer, the Seasiders won the game with a final score of 2-1.
Junior Ericka Ames was in the circle for the Academy of Art University in the first game. She pitched a good game, despite getting the loss. Ames went 7.2 innings pitched, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and a homerun. She had two walks and four strikeouts in the game.
For the Urban Knights, Melissa Coe had a great game going 2-2. Carissa Nichole Perales also had a good game going 1-3 with a double and a run scored, and Ashley Roy also went 1-3 with a run batted in. Shampayne Clay and Shelby LaFond both went 1-3 in the game.
BYU Hawaii's leading hitters were K. Alohikea-Betham who went 1-3 with a homerun, and Morgan Necaise who also went 1-3.
The Academy of Art University scored one run on seven hits, with one error and left four runners on base.
Box Score #2
The Urban Knights came out strong for the second game. Their intensity was up and they were eager for revenge. Again, tough pitching kept both offense's quiet in the early innings of the game. The Academy of Art University hitters were making contact and getting runners on, but were unsuccessful on putting any runs on the board. But that all changed in the fourth inning.
Ashley Roy started the fourth inning off with a single then stole second base to get herself into scoring position. With one out Shampayne Clay hit a deep fly ball to center field for a long double, scoring Roy from second. Clay then advanced to third on a passed ball. Crista Sykes then grounded out to third base and Clay was able to score on the throw to first. With the two run lead, the Urban Knights felt they had control of the game but knew they couldn't let up. An outstanding pitching performance for the Academy of Art University allowed them to keep the Seasiders from scoring, and resulted in a 2-0 win for the Urban Knights.
Sierrah Garcia was on the mound for the Academy of Art University in the second game. She pitched a great game going all seven innings giving up only four hits and one run. Garcia gave up no runs and posted five strikeouts in the game.
BYU leading hitters were Melissa Lehano who went 1-2, and Lauren Fielding, Kaila Anderson and Brooke Perriton who each went 1-3 in the game.
Academy of Art University's Ashley Roy went 2-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in the second game. Sierrah Garcia also went 2-3 and Shampayne Clay went 2-3 with double, a run scored and a run batted in.
The Urban Knights scored two runs on seven hits, with one error and left five runners on base.
After the split, the Academy of Art University's record is 7-21 overall, and BYU Hawaii's record is 8-18 on the season. The Urban Knights continue their Hawaiian road trip on Wednesday March 18th, when they again take on BYU Hawaii. Game times are set for 1:00 and 3:00 (HST) in Laie, HI.
