Hilo, HI- The Academy of Art University softball team concluded their week long Hawaiian road trip when they played Hawaii-Hilo Wednesday afternoon. The Urban Knights came out eager for a win after dropping two games to Hilo the day before. But the Vulcans took an early lead in the first game, and the Knights were never able to catch them. After being shut out for just the second time in the season, AAU ended up losing with a score of 3-0. Hilo had the lead in game two, but the Knights' offense was finally able to get things going. Their offense, combined with solid defense and powerful pitching, allowed the Urban Knights to defeat the Vulcans with a score of 2-1.

Acting as the visiting team, although on their home turf (per conference rules), Hilo jumped on the board early as they posted a run in the top of the first inning in game one. They then added some insurance runs to their lead by scoring two more runs in the second. The Urban Knights tried to get things going offensively several times throughout the game, but came up short, failing to bring any runners in despite having runners in scoring position. After the second inning, AAU's pitching and defense came up big and held the Vulcans scoreless for the remainder of the game. Despite all of their efforts, the Knights could not get any spark going offensively and ended up dropping the game to the Vulcans 0-3.

Kimberly Dauer was on the mound for the Urban Knights. Even though she received the loss, she pitched a very strong game holding the number two team in the PacWest to just two earned runs. Dauer went all seven innings pitched giving up just five hits, three runs, one walk, and recorded three strikeouts on the day.

Alana Aweau and Nicole Smith (who had a stolen base) did well offensively for the Academy of Art University as they both went 2-3. Andrea Hanchey and Melissa Coe also stood out as they both went 1-3.

For the Vulcans, Kanani Numata helped her team by going 1-3 with a double, one run, and one RBI. Bryanna Hardy went 1-3 with one run, and Dana Lee also went 1-3 with one run batted in.

Hilo's Ace Amber Waracka who was named the NFCA pitcher of the week, did her job by keeping the Urban Knights' off balance the entire game. Waracka went seven innings pitched giving up six hits, one walk, and had five strikeouts in the game.

The Urban Knights scored no runs, on six hits, committed two errors, and left six runners on base.

Game two started off rocky for AAU. They gave up a leadoff triple which would result in a run in the top of the first inning. But they quickly recovered and shut down the tough Vulcan offense. The Urban Knights threatened in the bottom of the first when they had runners on second and third, but they could not follow through on their threat. The Knights finally got some offense going in the bottom of the third when Nicole Smith scored off Andrea Hanchey's sacrifice fly. Although it was a tied game, the Urban Knights seemed in control of the game.

Another outstanding pitching performance from the Urban Knights' Sierrah Garcia, kept the Vulcans scoreless for the remainder of the game. Backed by a solid defense, the Knights were showing their true colors going into the bottom of the seventh inning, still tied at 1-1.

In the bottom of the seventh the Knights were able to get a rally going. With one out, Melissa Coe reached on a single. Ashley Lokey then bunted and reached on an over throw, allowing Coe to advance to third. Nicole Smith then came up big for her team as she singled to shallow center to score Coe from third. That was the game winning run, and the Knights won with a final score of 2-1.

Shampayne Clay led the Urban Knights by going 2-3 in the game.Nicole Smith rounded out her impressive road trip by going 1-3 with one run scored, and one run batted in (game winning RBI). Melissa Coe went 1-3 with one run scored (game winning run), Ashley Lokey also went 1-3, and Andrea Hanchey went 1-1 with one run batted in.

Receiving the win in the game was Sierrah Garcia who had a solid outing. Garcia went seven innings pitched giving up only four hits, one earned run, no walks, and recorded six strikeouts.

Leading the Vulcans was Sierra Green who went 1-3 with a triple, and one run scored, Kanani Numata who went 1-3 with one RBI, and Sarah Weisskopf and Emily Heinemann who both also went 1-3.

Starting in the circle for the Vulcans was Christina Pedroza who went 3.1 innings pitched giving up two hits, one run and had one strikeout. Sarah Weisskopf came in for relief and went three innings pitched giving up four hits, one run, and also had one strikeout.  Sarah receives the loss in the game.

The Urban Knights scored two runs on six hits, had one error, and left eight runners on base.

After the split, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 12-12-1 overall and 3-5 in PacWest, while Hawaii-Hilo's record is at 19-6 overall and 15-5 in the PacWest. The Knights return home to host their second homestand of the season. They begin the homestand by hosting nationally ranked Humboldt State University on Sunday, March 22^nd. Game times are set for 11:00 and 1:00 at Mission Blue Field in Brisbane, CA.