Carson, Calif. -- Academy of Art University softball played a doubleheader against the tough Cal State Dominguez Hills team Saturday afternoon. With a slow start to the first game, the Urban Knights let the strong offensive Toro team take control of things. After losing the first game to the Toros with a score of 8-4, the Urban Knights came out fired up for the second game. After leading the game for six innings, the Academy of Art University couldn't hold onto the lead and ended up losing in the bottom of the seventh with a final score of 3-2.

Box Score #1

The Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros controlled the first game. The Academy of Art University came out flat, and seemed unprepared to play against the Toros. Cal State Dominguez Hills scored first and never looked back. They posted four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Urban Knights cut the lead in half in the top of the second inning, by pushing two runs across. A double by junior Nicole Palmer allowed junior Shampayne Clay to score from first. Later in the inning, sophomore Alana Aweau scored from third on a ground out RBI by freshman Jayme Stewart. But the Torros answered right back with another four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.

The Academy of Art University women were able to tack on another run in the fourth inning, and one more run in the sixth, but they were not able to overcome the deficit. They ended up losing the game with a final score of 8-4.  

Some key hitters for the Toro team were Khryssi Steele who went 3-4 with two runs scored. Also helping with the Toro's offensive, was Emiley McEwen who also went 3-4 with two runs scored and had three RBI's.

Sierrah Garcia was on the mound for the Academy of Art University. She threw all six innings giving up thirteen hits, eight earned runs and three homeruns. Garcia had one walk and three strike outs in the game.

The Urban Knight offense was led by junior Shampayne Clay who went 3-3 with three runs scored.  Junior Nicole Palmer also had a good game going 2-3 with a double, a run scored and one RBI, and freshman Jayme Stewart finished the game going 1-2 with two RBI's.

The Academy of Art University had four runs off eight hits in the game, with one error and left four runners on base.

 

Box Score #2

The Urban Knights had a much better start in the second game. After the break they looked refreshed and came out ready to play, however, the Toro's would not be an easy win. Cal State Dominguez Hills scored first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. But the Urban Knights were not held scoreless for long.

In the top of the second inning the Academy of Art University finally got some offense going. Junior Carissa Nichole Peralessingled and advanced to second from Ashley Roy sacrifice bunt. Alana Aweau then singled to right field, and Perales was able to score on the hit. Two batters later, junior Nicole Palmer hit a long double down the first base line scoring Aweau from second. With a one run lead over the Toros, the Urban Knight's had strong defense and pitching which held them in the lead for the majority of the game.

The Toros came back to life in the late innings of the game when they pushed a run across in the fifth. The Urban Knights were unable to get any more offense going and Cal State Dominguez Hills was going for the win. With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Toros were able to score a run, ending the game with a score of 3-2.

Junior pitcher Ericka Ames was in the circle for the Urban Knights. She pitched 6.1 innings giving up ten hits and three earned runs. She walked two batters and no strike outs. Her record falls to 2-5.

Academy of Art University sophomore Carissa Nichole Perales went 2-3 with a run in the game. Sophomore Alana Aweau also went 2-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Also having a good game was junior Nicole Palmerwho went 2-3 with a double and a RBI.

Cal State Dominguez Hill's players Khryssi Steele and Katie Garcia came up big for their team. Steele went 4-4 with two RBI's and Garcia went 2-3 with a run scored.

The Urban Knights had two runs on nine hits in the game and left ten runners on base.

With the loss the Academy of Art University's record falls to 5-11 overall. They return to San Francisco to face San Francisco State University on Wednesday, Feb. 25.