Box Score

Irvine, CA – The Urban Knight baseball team displayed its offensive capabilities with a four-run seventh inning despite a 10-7 loss to Concordia University, Irvine Saturday afternoon at CUI Baseball Field. With the bases loaded and no outs, Academy of Art University cashed in four runs to claw its way back. Of the seven Knights to register hits in the game, senior outfielder Johnathan Robbins and sophomore infielder Stefen Henderson both played prominent roles in the surge, combining to finish the day 3-for-7 with three runs batted in, one run scored, and one stolen base.

“We're going to put up some numbers with this team's speed and the guys swinging the bats,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “[In the seventh], we got a couple of guys on, Wade Broadstreet got a hit, then another hit, and before you knew it we had four runs. The kids were having good at-bats today. [Johnathan and Stefen] are starting to come around. Stefen having some quality at-bats and he's been hitting the ball on the button every time. John is starting to settle down a little bit and have good at-bats.”

Academy of Art fought back against an early 4-0 Concordia lead after the first two innings. In the third, consecutive singles by sophomore catcher Chris Holmes and junior infielder Jared DePatto helped the Knights get started. ART U then used a run-scoring single by senior outfielder Ryan Worley to get on the board.

When the Eagles tried to respond with a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the third, ART U managed to keep the damage minimal. Junior right-hander Brandon Kistler came in as a relief pitcher and promptly ended the rally by inducing an inning-ending double play. Robbins followed that sequence by beginning a productive ART U fourth inning with a single. After stealing second base and reaching third on a wild pitch, Henderson brought his teammate home with a sacrifice fly and the Knights trailed 5-2 at that point.

Another Urban Knight run came across in the sixth when junior infielder Zach Babitt reached on an error and later scored off a single by junior infielder Kenny Rollins, Jr. When Concordia opened up a 10-3 advantage by way of its three-run rally in the sixth, the Eagles had little idea what was coming their way the very next inning as the Academy of Art offense answered back.

“This year, the kids believe they can win so they don't feel like they're out of any game,” Coach Guinn said. “At any time, they feel like they can put some runs up. You can see the confidence and feel the confidence in them.”

ART U initiated its response with a walk from freshman catcher James Singzon and a hit by pitch for DePatto. For his first hit as an Urban Knight, freshman infielder Wade Broadstreet singled to load the bases with no outs. Babitt then was hit to bring one run home, Robbins singled for the next, and junior outfielder Niko Leite made a productive out to score another on a sacrifice fly. The fourth and final Knights run came off the bat of Henderson who singled.

Senior right-handed reliever Darnell Quinney and his Eagles counterpart shut down all offense in the final two innings as neither team had a base-runner and 12 consecutive outs were made. Quinney had two strikeouts in his scoreless 2.1 innings of work.

“As soon as our pitching comes around, we're going to compete even more,” Coach Guinn said. “Guys are starting to come in and throw strikes and have confidence in the defense behind them. Brandon got a crucial double play ball today and Darnell shut the team down for two innings. It's early in the year right now and we like where we're at. We're just looking for more improvement in every game.”

Saturday's game featured a variety of contributions up and down the lineup. Robbins finished 2-for-4 with one RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base. Henderson was 1-for-3 with two RBI and Babitt scored two runs while adding an RBI of his own. DePatto was 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Worley posted one hit, one RBI, and a stolen base. Senior righty Alex Rosenthal (0-1), the Knights' starting pitcher, sustained the loss with five runs allowed (four earned) on five hits over 2.1 innings pitched. Academy of Art is now 0-2 on the season.

For Concordia, outfielder Matt Ivanoff led with a 3-for-4 day, five RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base. Outfield comrade Tyler Derby was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Starter Brent Clapper (1-0) pitched 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts. The Eagles begin their season with a 2-0 record.

The Urban Knights are scheduled to open up a four-game series with Cal State Stanislaus on Friday, Feb. 11. The teams will start with a single game at 2:00 PM on Friday, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 12, and another single game on Sunday, Feb. 13.