Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Seaside, CA- In a late morning double header, the Academy of Art University traveled two hours to face nationally recognized CSU Monterey Bay on Thursday. Both teams appeared evenly matched as both games were won by a margin of one run. The Knights capitalized on timely hitting to win the first game 1-0. In the afternoon game, the two teams battled it out taking the game into the 8
th inning, but AAU came up just short and ended up losing with a score of 2-3.
Game one proved to be a pitching duel. Both team's pitchers were perfect through the first three innings. The Urban Knights were finally able to get a spark going in the top of the fourth when Shampayne Clay was hit by a pitch with two outs. From there Jayme Stewart walked, and Alana Aweau came up clutch for her team with a base hit up the middle which scored Clay from second. That one run gave the Knights the lead.
The Otters threatened with runners in scoring position in the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings; but tough defense and outstanding pitching from the Knights prohibited the Otters from scoring any runs of their own. The Knights were able to shut out Monterey Bay and hold onto their one run lead, finishing with a score of 1-0.
Freshman Kimberly Dauer was on the mound for AAU. She pitched a strong game going seven innings pitched. She gave up five hits, no runs, no walks, and posted three strikeouts. Dauer received the win for her team.
Junior Alana Aweau came up big for her team offensively with key hitting. She went 1-3 with a run batted in on the game. Freshman Julie Martin also went 1-3 and senior Shampayne Clay went 0-2 with a run scored.
Lead hitters for the Otters were Marissa Trujillo who went 2-3 with a double, and Niki Ames, Nicole Garcia, and Shae Olds who each went 1-3 in game one.
On the mound for Monterey Bay was Diane Ortiz who went seven innings pitched giving up one earned run, three walks, and had 10 strikeouts.
Game two started out very different for both teams. The Urban Knights led off the first inning with empty threats. They had runners on second and third, but were not able to score them. The Otters were able to capitalize on the Knights' missed opportunities by scoring a run in the bottom of the inning, taking an early 1-0 lead. However, it didn't take long for the Urban Knights to regroup and get things going offensively for themselves. In the top of the third inning, Shampayne Clay led off with a single up the middle. After her teammates were able to move her over, Clay scored on an infield base hit by Alana Aweau. Later in the inning, the Knights scored again when Sierrah Garcia doubled to left-center scoring Melissa Coe who was on second. After the rally, the Knights had a 2-1 lead over the Otters.
The Otters pushed one more run across in the bottom of the fifth to tie that game at two. The two teams were then scoreless through the seventh. With the score tied after seven innings, the game was forced into extra innings. AAU was not able to score in the top of the eight, but it was a different story for Monterey Bay. The Otters were able to string their hits together and score with one out. The Otters ended up winning 3-2.
Despite getting the loss, the Urban Knights outplayed their opponents. They outhit the Otters 11-5, committed no errors, and left 14 runners on base.
Starting in the circle for AAU was sophomore Sierrah Garcia. Garcia pitched well going seven innings, giving up three earned runs, four walks, and posted three strikeouts. Despite her strong outing, she received the loss for the Knights.
Freshman Andrea Hanchey led the Urban Knights at the plate in game two. She went 3-4 with one run scored. Senior Shampayne Clay also did well going 3-5 with one run scored, and sophomore Sierrah Garcia rounded out the team going 2-4 with a double and a run batted in.
For the Otters Jenny Montez had a strong game going 2-3 with a double, two runs scored (including the game winning run), and one run batted in. Shae Olds added to her offensive success by going 2-4 with two runs batted in, including the game winning RBI single.
After the split, the Academy of Art University's record is at 6-6-1 overall, and CSU Monterey now has a 9-3 record. The Urban Knights play next on Wednesday, March 3rd at home. They will host Holy Names University in the first double header of their six game home stand. Wednesday's games are scheduled for 3:00 and 5:00 PM.
