Box Score
Hayward, CA --- The Academy of Art University baseball team (2-20 overall, 2-10 in PacWest) fell behind early and could not come back against Cal State East Bay Pioneers (9-18-1) in a single non-conference game. Out at Pioneer Field on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, sophomore third baseman Kenny Rollins, Jr. and senior right fielder Mike Gutierrez each went 2-for-4 in the contest. Junior designated hitter Darnell Quinney also walked a career-high three times.
“Kenny has been having some good at-bats,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “He gets himself in a hitter's count and then hits the ball hard somewhere. He's doing a good job at the plate. And Darnell is having some good at-bats as well. We're just a little bit from busting out and putting up some good numbers. Today just wasn't out game.”
To begin the game, Rollins, Jr., who had been placed into the second spot in the order, responded with a double to left after working seven pitches from the Pioneers' starter. He came as far as third base in the opening inning, but was eventually left stranded.
Academy of Art started sophomore left-hander Zach Mexicano (0-4) who wound up being the victim of some tough luck in both the first and second innings he pitched. Mexicano allowed one earned run in the first, but got the outs he needed to exit the inning behind just 2-0. From this point forward in the game, just two earned runs were allowed by AAU pitchers as the rest were unearned resulting from errors.
In the second inning, Mexicano roared back from a 3-0 count to strike out East Bay's leadoff hitter. Unfortunately, the next batter reached on an error and Mexicano was later lifted after issuing two walks. Freshman right-handed reliever Jeff Smith came in and while he did give up one earned run in the inning, walks helped the Pioneers end the second up 7-0.
“We made some mental mistakes today,” Coach Guinn said. “We just have to do a better job of making pitches. When you have nine walks, two hit batsmen, and five errors, it's going to be tough. Hopefully they'll bounce back on Friday.”
CSUEB's fourth inning saw the only home run of the day, but even the runs from that were unearned due to an error earlier in the inning. A scoring opportunity came for Academy of Art in the fifth when sophomore catcher Brandon Kistler walked with two outs. Gutierrez followed with a single and freshman shortstop Stefen Henderson was also walked to load the bases. East Bay managed to get out of the inning unscathed, however, after inducing a flyout.
The Urban Knights also had a shot in the sixth as Rollins, Jr. led off with a double and Quinney was issued a walk. The Pioneers' pitching again got out of the jam with three consecutive outs and eventually held on for the 14-0 victory.
Rollins, Jr. concluded the day 2-for-4 with a season-high two doubles for AAU while Gutierrez also went 2-for-4. Quinney had been walked twice in two games during his career, but the three walks he earned in this contest topped the previous numbers. Mexicano was unfortunately charged with the loss after six runs (only one earned) allowed over 1.2 innings.
Cal State East Bay was led by designated hitter Nick McManus who had three RBIs in a 1-for-2 day. Catcher Jake Walter had the only home run of the day and finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Righty Nick Goulet (1-0) got the win after 5.0 innings of scoreless ball with six strikeouts.
The Urban Knights now return to Pacific West Conference play with a four-game road rematch against Dixie State College this Friday and Saturday at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George, UT. Friday's doubleheader begins at 1:00 PM MST (12:00 PM PST) and can be heard on a live broadcast (http://www.network1sports.com/schools/dixiestate.asp).
“It will be the second time around so we're going to go out and do the best we can,” Coach Guinn said. “The light air means the ball carries, but that can work in both teams' favors.”
