Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Brisbane, CA – In the start of their homestand, the Academy of Art University's softball team hosted BYU Hawaii in a double header Thursday afternoon. The Urban Knights had everything working for them on the day as they were able to defeat the Seasiders in both games. AAU came out attacking and won the first game with a score of 9-1 (5 innings), but they were challenged in the second game. The Knights still came away with a win in the game two, but only by a score of 3-2.
The game was scoreless after two complete innings in the first game, as the Urban Knights' pitching was extremely effective against the Seasiders. In the bottom of the third inning, the Knights' bats finally came alive and they were able to help out their pitcher. AAU was able to string four hits together to score three runs to take the lead in the game. The Seasiders answered back with a run of their own in the top of the fourth, but the Knights closed out the game by scoring five more runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Knights' pitching and defense teamed up to hold the Seasiders for the remainder of the game, and they were able to earn the win after five innings due to the eight run rule.
“We did the little things today and that's why we were successful,” said Head Coach Rachel Sherman. “We made adjustments early, were aggressive on base, executed situational hitting, and played defense and pitched well.”
AAU pitcher Kimberly Dauer threw an impressive game. She struck out five of the first six batter faced, and went all five innings pitched. Dauer gave up five hits, one run (no earned runs), and had one walk. She had a personal high nine strikeouts in the game. After receiving the win, her record is now at 4-9.
Helping out on the offensive side of the game for the Knights was Shampayne Clay who went 2-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in, and Nicole Smith who went 2-2 with two runs, and two RBI's. Also having a good game was Melissa Coe who went 2-3 with two runs scored, and a stolen base,Julie Martin who went 2-3 with one RBI, and three stolen bases, and Ashley Lokey who went 1-1 with two runs scored.
For the Seasiders, Morgan Necaise did well going 1-3 with one run scored. Athena Salinas also did well going 1-1 with one RBI, and so did Kaila Anderson as she went 1-2 in the game.
Shiri Steven's receives the loss for her team. She went three innings pitched and gave up ten hits, nine earned runs, four walks, and had no strikeouts. Janeece Veazie came in for relief and went one inning pitched giving up one hit, and one walk.
The Urban Knights scored nine runs on 11 hits, had one error, and left six runners on base.
The Academy of Art University allowed the momentum from their first game to carry into their second. They started off strong by scoring one run in the bottom of the first when Ashley Lokey scored from second off Shampayne Clay's single. They then scored again in the bottom of the third when Clay hit a solo home run to left field, for her second home run of the day. AAU added one more run to their lead when Sierrah Garcia singled to right to score Nicole Smith from second. The three run lead would seem to be enough to hold BYU Hawaii, as the Urban Knights' pitching was again shutting down their opponents.
However, the Seasiders did not go down without a fight. They rallied to score two runs, when they hit a two run home run in the top of the sixth. But the Urban Knights' pitching was just too overpowering for the Seasiders. They couldn't muster up any more runs for the come back, and the Knights were able to hold on for the win.
Sierrah Garcia pitched a phenomenal game. She set a new single game record, had a new career high, and set a school record by posting 16 strikeouts in the game. In three innings pitched she gave up just three hits, two earned runs, one walk, and of course, had 16 strikeouts. Her record now improves to 11-4.
“I am excited for her [Sierrah] to have reached this milestone in her career,” exclaimed Coach Sherman. “This definitely shows the potential for her career.”
Shampayne Clay again led the Knights offensively. She went 2-2 with a home run, one run scored, and two runs batted in. Sierrah Garcia had a good game going 1-3 with one run batted in, and both Alana Aweau and Julie Martin went 1-3 in the game.
Lead hitters for the Seasiders were Mindy Rasmussen who went 1-3 with a home run, and two RBI's, Kaila Anderson who went 1-1, and Morgan Necaise who went 1-3.
Receiving the loss was Mindy Rasmussen who went six innings giving up three runs (two earned), four walks, and had one strikeout.
The Knights scored three runs on five hits, had one error, and left seven runners on base.
After the two wins, the Academy of art University's record improves to 15-13-1 overall and 5-5 in PacWest, while BHU Hawaii's record falls to 2-24 overall and 2-14 in the PacWest. The two teams battle each other again tomorrow, March 26th. The Urban Knights will act as the visiting team per PacWest conference rules. Game times are set for 12:00 and 2:00 PM at Mission Blue Field.
