Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Brisbane, CA – The Academy of Art University continued their winning streak on Friday when they hosted a double header against BYU Hawaii. The Urban Knights played well and were eager for the wins on the afternoon. By winning just one game, AAU would surpass their wins from last season, but they were able to come away with two wins on the day. The Urban Knights played well and defeated the Seasiders with a score of 6-0 in the first game. The Knights were able to keep up their strong level of play and rallied late in the game to come out victorious over BYU Hawaii in game two with a score of 12-1.
Both teams were scoreless in the first two innings of the first game. With the Urban Knights acting as the visiting team (per PacWest rules), they were able to finally get on board when they scored one run in the top of the third inning. Sierrah Garcia singled to right field to score Andrea Hanchey from second. The Knights then added to their lead by scoring one more run in the top of the fourth when Ashley Lokey hit a solo home run to right field. AAU continued to rally and scored three more runs in the sixth, then closed out the game with one more insurance run in the seventh.
The Urban Knights' pitching was solid again as it kept the Seasiders scoreless the entire game. After shutting out BYU Hawaii, the Academy of Art University achieved their 16th win on the season, surpassing their win total from last year. With solid pitching and offense, the Urban Knights were able to hold on to their victory over the Seasiders.
When asked about reaching their 16th win on the season, Head Coach Rachel Sherman had this to say, “I'm extremely proud of us. It's a huge weight off our shoulders to prove to everyone and ourselves that our hard work has paid off, and that we are moving forward.”
Leading the Urban Knights offensively in the game was Alana Aweau who went 3-4 with a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Ashley Lokey also stood out going 2-5 with a home run, one run, and one RBI. Sierrah Garcia did well going 1-4 with one run, and one run batted in, as did Julie Martin who went 1-3 with one run scored, and one stolen base. In the game, six different Urban Knights combined to score their six runs in the game.
Sierrah Garcia was on the mound for the Urban Knights and received the win in this historic game for her team. Garcia went four innings pitched giving up just four hits, no runs, had no walks, and recorded nine strikeouts. Her record is now 12-4.
For the Seasiders, Morgan Necaise did well going 1-1, and Kaila Anderson, Tina Moen, and Hayleigh Maher all went 1-2 in the game.
Receiving the loss for BYU Hawaii was Janeece Veazie who went seven innings pitched giving up six runs (three earned), four walks, and had two strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored six runs on 10 hits, had two errors, and left 10 runners on base.
As AAU tried to continue their winning streak in game two, they couldn't help being thrown off by the Seasider's pitching the first inning. But soon after, the Knights made adjustments and took an early lead in the game. The Urban Knights were able to score one run in the top of the second inning to get ahead in the game. They added to their lead by scoring three more runs in the third, two more in the fourth, one run in the sixth, and then secured their win by scoring five runs in the seventh. The Knights appeared to be unstoppable, going into the late innings of the game, but BYU Hawaii did not go down without a fight.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Seasiders scored one run off a solo home run, to prevent being shut out on the day. That one run would be all that they would be able to score as the Urban Knights' offense and pitching proved too powerful for their opponents. The Knights were able to hold onto the lead for a 12-1 victory.
Leading the offense again for AAU in game two was Alana Aweau who went 2-3 with a home run, one run, and two RBI's. “We had talked to Alana about hitting line drives,” said Coach Sherman. “In the last four games she has made the adjustments and seen success.”
Ashley Lokey also did well for the Knights going 3-4 with a home run (her second of the day), three runs scored and two RBI's. “Lokey continues to surprise the defense, and uses all facets of her game to get on base,” added Coach Sherman. Shampayne Clay stood out going 4-5 with one run scored, and three RBI's. Andrea Hanchey went 3-5 with two runs, one RBI, and one stolen base, Melissa Coe went 2-4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI, and Sierrah Garcia rounded out the leader board by going 2-5 with one run scored, and one run batted in.
Kimberly Dauer started in the circle for the Urban Knights. She pitched a great game and received the win for her team. She went seven innings pitched giving up seven hits, one earned run, no walks, and had six strikeouts. Her record now stands at 5-9.
Lead hitters for the Seasiders were April Jorgensen who went 1-2 with a home run, one run, and one run batted in, Ashley Parry who went 2-3, and Hannah Bateman who went 1-2 in the game. Shiri Stevens received the loss in the game. Stevens went seven innings pitched giving up 19 hits, 12 earned runs, three walks, and had no strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored 12 runs on 19 hits, committed one error, and left eight runners on base.
The Knights now face the challenge of hosting the number one seated team in the PacWest and the No. 3 team in the nation, Hawaii Pacific next week. In preparation for the big series Coach Rachel Sherman had this to say: “Today was a great game for our pitching and to prepare us for HPU. We were able to work on the small things. This series was a big confidence builder for us defensively, and we learned that executing and situational hitting can help us win the game. Defensively we know what we need to work on and are determined to meet those goals.”
After the complete four game sweep, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 17-13-1 overall, and 7-5 in PacWest, while BYU Hawaii's record falls to 2-26 overall, and 2-18 in the PacWest. The Knights will host one more team this homestand that will take place on March 30th and 31st. The Knights are set to take on No. 3 ranked Hawaii Pacific on Tuesday, March 30th. Game times are set for 12:00 and 2:00 PM at Mission Blue Field.
