San Pablo, CA --- After a five-run rally in the first inning, Academy of Art University (5-32) prevailed against Patten University (7-28) 6-1 in a single non-conference home game on Friday at Contra Costa College. AAU's final home game of the year saw freshman right-hander Jeff Smith (2-4) have his best start of the season along with multi-hit performances by four Urban Knights in the win. Smith pitched a season-high 9.0 innings for the complete game victory, allowing one run with another season-high four strikeouts.

"Jeff has been throwing the ball well in his last couple of outings and he's really starting to find his groove," Head Coach Brian Guinn said. "He threw a lot of first-pitch strikes today and was putting a lot of catchable balls in play. I believe he finished with 103 pitches and that's fantastic for nine innings."

Patten managed to plate one run in the first inning on a RBI ground out, but the 1-0 lead would not hold up for long. AAU proceeded to jump ahead in the bottom of the first and the rally began with speed on the base paths. Junior second baseman Ryan Worley drew a leadoff walk and soon swiped second to put himself in scoring position for sophomore centerfielder Johnathan Robbins. In classic Knights' small ball fashion, Robbins laid down a bunt for a hit and when he saw no one covering second base, he took off. The Lions made an attempt to nab him only to see Worley break for home plate and score.

Now tied 1-1, the Academy of Art offense continued to roll. Robbins stole third and junior third baseman Darnell Quinney picked him up with a RBI single. Quinney showed his quickness with a steal of his own and a walk to senior right fielder Mike Gutierrez put two on for freshman shortstop Stefen Henderson. Henderson worked a six-pitch walk to load the bases and sophomore catcher Brandon Kistler battled through seven pitches to earn another walk and the run batted in.

"We've been preaching good at-bats from the beginning and I think the guys are starting to see how they can get good pitches," Coach Guinn said. "They're learning to take what the pitcher gives them and if that's a walk, we'll take it. Our speed was definitely causing some problems too. We've been on the opposite end of some early leads this season so it was rewarding for us to get one of our own. It's great to look into the kids' eyes and see their excitement as we're winning ballgames."

The bases were still loaded for junior designated hitter Chris Vargas who broke the game open with a two-run single. When the first inning finally came to an end, Academy of Art was up 5-1, but they were not done yet. In the second, AAU looked as if it would continue to score when Quinney hit the first triple of his Urban Knight career to center field. However, Patten's defense responded and got out of the inning unscathed.

The defense for Academy of Art was also at the top of its game Friday. In his fifth start of the season, Smith was the benefactor of one double play in each of his first four innings. Three of the double plays ended their respective inning and consequently any chance for Patten to start a rally.

"The defense is starting to come around," Coach Guinn said. "We're really working hard to get them better and we were fortunate to have the ball hit into situations where we could turn two today."

In the AAU fourth, three consecutive singles added to the Knights' advantage. Robbins and Quinney set the table for freshman first baseman Andy Caniezo who singled up the middle to plate Robbins. From there, Academy of Art cruised to its fifth victory of the year, a 6-1 final, with strong pitching from its starting right-hander.

Smith, who picked up his second win of 2010, pitched all nine innings for AAU to top his previous high of 7.0 innings that came against St. Joseph's on Apr. 3. In addition to posting a complete game, Smith achieved a new season-high of four strikeouts. The righty was extremely efficient on the mound Friday as he needed just 10 pitches or less in five of the nine innings.

Offensively, the Urban Knights were led by a 3-for-4 day from Quinney who added one RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base. At the top of the AAU order, Worley was 2-for-3 with one run and two stolen bases while Robbins finished 2-for-5 with two runs and one steal. Vargas, who had the big two-run double in the first, completed the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Returning to his old stomping grounds at Contra Costa College for Senior Day, Gutierrez was honored prior to Friday's game. The right fielder wrapped up the contest 0-for-3, but did notch a walk and scored a run in the victory.

"It was his last home game, but we still have more to play," Coach Guinn said. "He was hitting the ball right at people and that's just how the baseball gods decided it would go this afternoon. All in all, I think his mom and dad were very happy today."

Patten University had a strong day from centerfielder Luke Heil who finished Friday 3-for-3 with three stolen bases and one run. First baseman Zach Plancich batted in the lone run for the Lions on a single. While righty Michael Nunez took the loss after allowing five runs over 2.2 innings of work, right-handed reliever Sean Klene came in to pitch the final 5.1 innings and allowed one run with three strikeouts.

The non-conference weekend continues tomorrow, Apr. 17, when AAU travels to San Jose, CA for its doubleheader against Bethany University. PAL Stadium (http://tinyurl.com/yyck265) will be the site for the two games and the first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM. Academy of Art the plays a rematch against Patten on Apr. 18 at San Leandro Ball Park (http://tinyurl.com/y576b98) with a new start time of 7:00 PM.