Saratoga, Calif. -- The Academy of Art University softball team faced the Lions of Vanguard University in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Despite being held at West Valley College, the game was considered the Academy of Art University's first home game. The Urban Knights had good pitching performances in both games, but unfortunately they were not enough to hold the Vanguard offense. The Academy of Art University fell to the Lions in both games, 2-1 and 4-1.
Despite having more intensity than in their previous games, the Urban Knights were unable to get their own offense going against the Lions. Although the Urban Knights were able to get runners on in almost every inning, they failed to string their hits together and score many of those stranded runners. Again, their strong pitching kept them within reach in both games.
Box Score #1
In the first game, Vanguard struck first. They scored two runs in the top of the first inning, when shortstop Sarah Howe hit a two run home run over the left field fence. But that was all the scoring that they would produce. Urban Knights freshman pitcher Sierrah Garcia then settled down and held the Lion offense quiet for the rest of the game.
The Academy of Art University was held scoreless for most of the game. It was not until the bottom of the seventh inning that the Urban Knights got something going. Junior Nicole Palmer led off the inning with a single to center field. Freshman Crista Sykes then doubled to left -center field, nearly missing a home run. Shelby LaFond then came in to pinch run for Sykes. Freshman Jayme Stewart was up next and hit a deep sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Palmer from third. Garcia then grounded out to short stop, advancing LaFond to third. With two outs and the tying run on third, freshman Melissa Coe fouled out to end the game. It was a good rally, but the Urban Knights came up just short, losing the game 2-1.
Garcia pitched all seven innings for her team, giving up six hits, two earned runs, and two walks. She had seven strike outs in 29 batters faced.
Vanguard's leading hitter, Sarah Howe, went 2-3 with a home run and two runs batted in. The Lions also had four players go 1-3 in the game.
For the Academy of Art University, Palmer went 2-3 with a run scored. Sykes also had a good game offensively, going 2-3 with a double.
The Urban Knights had six hits in the game, one error and left five runners on base.
Box Score #2
In the second and final game of the day, the Academy of Art University came out early with some offense of its own. The Urban Knights scored first taking an early lead, but that lead would not hold for long. In the bottom on the second inning, junior Shampayne Clay hit a leadoff home run, well over the fence in center field. That would be the only run that they Urban Knights would score, and it would not be enough to hold the Lions.
Vanguard was held scoreless for half of the game, but their offense came alive in the top of the fourth inning. They posted two runs in the fourth and added to their lead by pushing another run across in the fifth and one more run in the sixth. With a three run lead over the Academy of Art University, the Urban Knights could not get any more runs and ended up losing the game with a final score of 4-1.
On the mound for the Academy of Art University was junior Ericka Ames. She pitched seven innings, giving up 11 hits and four earned runs. She gave up two walks and had one strikeout in the game.
Lead hitters for Vanguard University were Amanda Plum, who went 2-2 with a run scored, and Jenna Bergh, who was 2-4 with a run scored. Lions' Stephanie Leisenring and Angela St. Croix each went 1-3 with a run scored.
Clay was 1-3 with a home run. Junior Alana Aweau went 1-2 with a double, and her teammates Nicole Palmer, Crista Sykes, Ashley Petty, and Melissa Coe (who doubled) each went 1-3 in the game.
In this game, the Lions outhit the Urban Knights 11-7. The Urban Knights had one error and left six runners on base.
With the two losses, the Academy of Art University falls to 5-13 overall and Vanguard improves to 9-4 on the season. The Urban Knights take action next on Saturday March 7 at Humboldt State University. Game times are set for noon and 2:00 p.m. in Arcata, Calif.
