Box Score

Irvine, CA – Academy of Art University baseball started off its 2011 season with a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Concordia University, Irvine on Friday. Demonstrating their speed, the Urban Knights finished the game with three stolen bases, but could not overcome early offense by the Eagles. Sophomore infielder Stefen Henderson gave Academy of Art its biggest hit, the third triple of his career, in the fourth inning. He finished with a career-best three hits and two runs batted in.

“Stefen has made some big improvements in his swing,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “He's not trying to do a whole lot and just hitting where it's pitched so he's getting good results. Today, I saw a team out there that's competing. We're just starting from where we finished last year and the kids have learned a lot. They're starting to become baseball players.”

Concordia established a 2-0 lead with a rally in the first inning, but Academy of Art threatened in the second. After junior catcher Kenny Rollins, Jr. walked and Henderson singled to right, a double steal attempt fell through as Rollins, Jr. was caught at third. The Eagles changed pitchers during the ART U opportunity, but managed to exit the inning unscathed.

The Knights' first runs of 2011 then came in classic Academy of Art fashion with quickness, strategy, and solid hitting in the fourth inning. Junior infielder Zach Babitt led things off with a single and promptly stole second base. Later, Rollins, Jr. coaxed his second walk of the afternoon to set the table for Henderson. A hard-hit triple to right center from the sophomore cleared the bases, giving ART U a pair of runs.

Now a close 4-2 contest, all eyes were on Concordia to see how they would respond to the Knights' rally. Back-to-back hits by the Eagles, however, answered the bell. CUI pushed across two runs in the bottom of the fourth and assumed a 6-2 advantage. Though senior outfielder Ryan Worley's walk initiated a two-out possibility in the fifth, he was left stranded after stealing third. The Eagles held on to their 7-2 lead through the remainder of the contest for the victory.

“We still have some things to learn. It looks like we'll be able to put some pressure on teams with our speed and the more we play, the better we will get,” Coach Guinn said. “I think we were really never out of the game and had our chances. We had that clutch hit from Stefen and we're looking to get some more. We'll be ok. The team was playing too fast so once they start slowing down a bit, things will start happening for them.”

Academy of Art University had strong offensive games from Henderson, Babitt, and Rollins, Jr. Henderson led the team with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, one triple, and two runs batted in. Babitt was 2-for-4 with a stolen base and one run scored. Finally, Rollins, Jr. finished the contest a perfect 1-for-1 due to his two walks, and added a steal along with one run scored. ART U chose junior Zach Mexicano (0-1) as its Opening Day starter and the left-hander went 5.2 innings with seven runs allowed (four earned) on nine hits with two strikeouts. Academy of Art is now 0-1 on the season.

Catcher John Hill was a major source of run production for the Eagles in the contest. He was 3-for-5 with a triple and three RBI. Three other CUI players had two hits apiece. The winning pitcher was Sean Buford (1-0) who allowed two earned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Concordia improves to 1-0 this year.

Academy of Art and Concordia will face one another again tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 5, at CUI Baseball Field. The single game will conclude the series, and is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.