Box Score

Las Vegas, NV - In the final day of the Desert Stinger Tournament, the Academy of Art University's softball team came up with a big win against New Mexico Highlands University on Sunday afternoon. The women kept the streak of powerful offense, strong pitching, and solid defense going as they headed into their final game of the weekend. Although the Urban Knights got off to a slow start in the game, they were able to regain the momentum to control the game. After another slug fest for ART U, the women earned the victory over the Cowgirls with a score of 10-4. With the conclusion of the game, the Knights finished the tournament going 3-2.

“I think the run support has given the team lots of confidence,” commented Head Coach Rachel Sherman. “I don't think there was any doubt at any point over the weekend that we couldn't come back if behind, or keep scoring.”

As the designated visiting team in the game, ART U got on the board right away. Freshman Lauren Stover hit a deep fly ball, well over the left field fence for a solo home run in the top of the first inning. That gave her team an early lead until the Cowgirls started a small rally. In the bottom of the second inning, NM Highlands hit a grand slam to take their turn with the reins. That gave them a 4-1 lift and it looked like they would take control of the game from there.

The Knights quickly buckled down and raised their intensity, determined to turn things around. ART U scored twice in the top of the third and then once in the top of the fourth to tie the game up 4-4. But in the top of the sixth, the women really started to bust things open. They scored two runs that inning when sophomore Andrea Hanchey hit a line drive down the left field line to score junior Genna Allen from second. A few outs later, freshman Lauren Clark-Lewis connected for a single to score sophomore Jayme Stewart from third.

With the momentum their way, the Urban Knights continued the offensive spree. ART U pushed across four more runs in the top of the seventh off of four hits, to take a commanding lead over the Cowgirls. NM Highlands was unable to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh, and could not overcome the large deficit. The Knights' defense and pitching did their part in the last inning, and the women would hold on for the 10-4 win.

All but one Art U player in the line-up would record a hit, but all nine players would reach base safely in the game. Stover had a great game going 3-3 with two home runs, three runs scored, and three runs batted in. Hanchey also stood out in the game going 2-3 with two runs batted in, and Allen posted big numbers going 2-4 with a double, a stolen base, two runs, and one run batted in. Rounding out the game was sophomore Alyssa Hickey who went 2-4 with one run batted in.

Sophomore Kimberly Dauer started on the mound for the Urban Knights. She went 1.2 innings pitched before junior Sierrah Garcia came in for relief. Garcia would go 5.2 innings pitched allowing no runs, one hit, and posted five strikeouts. She also received the win in the game.

“This weekend's success was a true team effort,” added Sherman. “Everyone hit, made adjustments, and played great defense. Coming into the weekend we worked a lot of having a plan at the plate, game situations, and playing under pressure. I have no doubt that last week's practice prepared us for a great weekend.”

For the Cowgirls, Alisha Perry had a good game going 2-4 with a home run, one run. And four runs batted in. Roxanne Avalos went 1-2 with one run, and Alysha Alvarez went 2-3 with one run for her team.

The Urban Knights scored 10 runs on 13 hits, with one error, and left 14 runners on base.

“This tournament we learned there are some small things we need to work on, but nothing so big it hurt us. These games allowed everyone's bats to get hot and have confidence in the box. We learned we can make some great adjustments early in the game and come out on top,” concluded Sherman.