SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art sent the tying run to the plate three times in the bottom of the ninth in game one and started a two-out rally in the final frame in the second contest; however, the Urban Knights fell short in both instances, dropping their first PacWest series of 2017.
 
GAME ONE:
 
The first game started off on a high-note for ART U. After junior right-hander Chris Petrosie tossed a perfect first inning, the Urban Knights jumped out to a two-run lead thanks to a pair of runs driven in by senior infielder Erick Luna and junior catcher Marciano Reichel in the bottom of the frame.
 
The Lancers were quick to respond, scoring three runs in the top of the second to take their first lead of the game. With two more runs in the third, CBU took a 5-2 advantage from which ART U would be unable to recover.
 
Over the next three innings, Petrosie was able to keep the Lancers at bay, not allowing a run and only surrendering three hits. CBU added one more run in the seventh inning before Petrosie was replaced by senior righty Josh Lopez who took the team the remaining 2.2 innings while only allowing one hit.
 
Heading to the bottom of the ninth, Academy of Art faced a four-run deficit, but they refused to go down easily. The Knights loaded the bases with no outs and had three separate batters stepped up the plate representing the tying run. While unable to complete the comeback, ART U managed to put a dent in the Lancers' lead when sophomore infielder Robert "Gio" Villanueva hit a grounder to shortstop to allow a run to score.  
 
GAME TWO:
 
The Urban Knights headed into game two hoping to split the series with California Baptist. However, the Lancers quickly took the lead in the top of the first inning and did not look back.
 
Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the third, ART U got their first hit of the ballgame when junior outfielder Evan Ray doubled to the left field wall. Although, with two outs, the Knights were unable to capitalize.
 
ART U notched their first run of the game in the fifth when, with runners on second and third, junior infielder Mike Maleski produced a groundout to the shortstop to drive in junior outfielder Kyle McGraw.
 
Meanwhile, senior lefty Jacob Green entered the game in the fifth inning and tossed 4.0 strong innings. The Multimedia Communications major allowed just one run (earned) on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. Junior right-hander Sal Johnson (1.0 innings pitched) completed a solid back end of pitching for the Urban Knights in game two: the Hollywood, Calif. native did not allow a hit in the ninth to set up a comeback opportunity for ART U in the bottom of the frame.
 
A pair of singles got the ninth inning off to a start for the Knights from junior outfielder Izac Bauer and junior infielder Brennan Mauchline. After a double play which moved Bauer to third, McGraw delivered his career-high, third hit of the day and career-first run batted in to make it a 6-2 game. It was also McGraw's first multi-hit game in an Urban Knight uniform.
 
On the season, Academy of Art now moves to 12-17 overall and 8-8 in conference while California Baptist improves to 20-10, 11-5 PacWest.
 
The Urban Knights will welcome in No. 15-ranked Azusa Pacific on Thursday, March 30 for a four-game set. However, before that series begins, ART U will host a single game against NAIA Menlo College on Tuesday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m.