Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Chico, CA - The Urban Knights doubleheader on Saturday proved one thing, if nothing else, that they have broken out of their slump at the plate. It also proves that, if they can hold on to the ball, they'll win some games. And although Chico State won both games, winning 11-7 and 8-1, the Knights came out with some hits and some much-needed offense under their belts.

That was the case after the first game, as starter Nate Gercken gave up 11 runs, including a nine-run fourth inning by the No. 10/13 Wildcats. However, zero of those 11 runs were earned. The Knights made three errors, including Gercken, who had two errors himself in the fourth inning. Chico made ART U pay for their mistakes, hitting two home runs and batting around in the frame.

But if you take away that one inning, and you take away the mistakes, the Urban Knights have a seven-run lead over a nationally-ranked team. The top of the lineup romped on Wildcats pitchers in the first game, as the first four hitters combined to go 10-for-18 (.556) with two runs and four RBIs. Kenny Rollins, Jr. also had a big game at the plate in the opener, going 2-for-4 with four runs.

After yesterday's game, the Knights were looking to rebound on the pitcher's mound and at the plate, but it was just their gloves that didn't cooperate. After being down 11-0 after five complete innings, the Urban Knights started to rally. In the top of the sixth, they got a run when Zach Babitt and Myles Babitt hit back-to-back doubles. In the seventh inning, it was all small ball, something that ART U has a roster that is perfectly tailored to execute.

The Wildcats sent a new pitcher to the mound in the seventh, and the Knights quickly loaded the bases. After another pitching change, the Knights rattled off four RBI singles to get on the board and cut the lead to 11-5. Bryce Hutchings and Zach Babitt singled, and then Myles Babitt struck out. But Niko Leite and Jared DePatto also singled to get the other two runs across for ART U. Academy of Art added another in the top of the eighth after Rollins had a leadoff double. He later scored on a groundout by Spencer Roland.

The ninth inning was also interesting, as the Knights had the tying run on deck with nobody out. After the bases were loaded again with the Knights down 11-6, head coach Brian Guinn went to his bench, bringing in Stefen Henderson. Henderson hit a ball deep enough to score the runner from third, and the Knights still had life.


Game two was more of the same, as starter Zach Mexicano went the distance, giving up four earned runs. Unfortunately, three Urban Knights errors in the bottom of the first inflated that number to eight total runs against the lefty. The Wildcats got a runner on with one out when Shane Kroker reached on an error. Cody Foster walked, and then Chico executed a double steal. Blake Gibbs singled, bringing both runners home. Later in the inning Zach Babitt had an errant throw that allowed two more runs to score before Mexicano got Ben Manlove to strike out to end the inning.

The Knights never recovered, and couldn't figure out Wildcats starter Luke Barker. Barker went the distance, striking out eight and only allowing three hits. He threw one wild pitch, but issued no walks to keep the Knights off base. Kroker was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, and Gibbs was 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored for Chico State.

Both teams meet tomorrow for the series finale, with the first pitch scheduled for 11:00 AM.