GAMES #16-19
ART U (1-14, 0-8 PWC) vs. Holy Names (6-13, 5-7 PWC)
Oakland, CA -- Laney College
Friday, March 15 at 11:00 AM (Game 1)
Saturday, March 16 at 4:30 PM (Game 1)
LEADING OFF
In the past three series, the Urban Knights have played the top team in the West Region and two of the top three finishers in the PacWest Conference last year, a tough schedule to say the least. California Baptist showed signs that they could be beat, however, as Academy of Art held leads in three of the four games against the Lancers. Now they'll take on PacWest newcomer Holy Names and welcome the Hawks to the PacWest.
KNIGHTS BATS HEATING UP
Academy of Art had a rough series at the plate against Grand Canyon but the bats jumped into action against California Baptist last week. After notching six hits in the opener, the Urban Knights piled up 26 hits in the next three games to up their average by almost 30 points as a team. ART U is also doing a fantastic job at getting runners in once they're in position, hitting .455 with runners at third and less than two outs.
HAWKS PICKING UP PACWEST WINS
Holy Names is not rolling over in their first PacWest experience, picking up at least one win over the three conference opponents they have played so far. The Hawks took three of four from fellow new team Azusa Pacific, and picked up single wins against UH Hilo and Hawai'i Pacific on their first conference trip to the islands. They're led by Ben Gamba and Zach Verlaan on offense, each in double digits for RBIs, while Tyler Truitt is bastting .299 to lead the team. Max Eggleston has an ERA of 3.42 on the mound.
A HOUSE DIVIDED AT LANEY
The Hawks are joining a crowded dance card at Laney College, where the junior college Eagles have been sharing the facilities with the Urban Knights for the past four years. With the addition of Holy Names, there are now three teams sharing the park for practice and games, creating a logjam on the schedule but also providing Oakland residents with a chance at nonstop college baseball all spring long. This weekend's series is technically an "away" series for the Urban Knights, and they'll be setting up shop in the third-base dugout for the first time this year.
ON DECK
After playing against the Hawks, the Knights again will face another hard leg of the schedule, heading to Dixie State to take on the PacWest runners-up from a year ago. They will face the Red Storm in a pair of doubleheaders on Friday March 22 and Saturday the 23rd before returning home to host Fresno Pacific at the end of the month.
