Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
Brisbane, CA – After the rain canceled their double-header yesterday, the Academy of Art University's softball team took advantage of the nice weather, and hosted the defending national champions, Hawaii Pacific University, on Sunday afternoon. The Urban Knights were ready to face the No. 7 ranked team in the nation, but things quickly got out of hand in game one for the women. After a few costly errors, the Knights ended up losing game one in five innings with a final score of 0-8. However, the Knights were able to re-group after the game break and came out attacking in the second game. ART U jumped on the board first in the game and never looked back. In the end, the Knights ended up winning game two with a final score of 8-0.
The Urban Knights came out flat in game one and it quickly showed. Hawaii Pacific jumped on the board first when they scored one run in the top of the second inning. But things didn't stop there for the Sea Warriors. In the top of the fourth, HPU capitalized on a couple costly Urban Knight errors. At the end of the inning, HPU was able to score seven runs to take a big lead in the game.
ART U threatened in the game with runners in scoring position, however, they failed to string any hits together, and were unable to score any of their runners. The women struggled to make any offensive adjustments in the game and in the end; their offense couldn't do anything to help their pitching or defense. The game was called in five innings due to the eight run mercy rule, and the Knights fell with a final score of 0-8.
“I think in game one we just didn't make the adjustments we needed to,” commented Head Coach Rachel Sherman.
Starting on the mound for ART U was junior Sierrah Garcia. Garcia went 2.1 innings pitched giving up four hits, eight runs (just two earned runs), and had two strikeouts. Sophomore Kimberly Dauer came in for relief and went 2.2 innings giving up just one hit in the game. Garcia received the loss.
The Knights were led offensively by sophomore Andrea Hanchey who went 1-2 and recorded the only hit for her team. However, junior Genna Allen, sophomore Jayme Stewart, and freshman Lauren Stover each reached base safely in the game.
For the Sea Warriors, Celina Garces did well going 1-3 with a double, one run, and two runs batted in, Chante Tesoro went 1-2 with a double, one run, and one run batted in, and Ciara Pires, and Breanne Patton both went 1-3 with one run and one run batted in. Patton also received the win in the game. She went five innings pitched allowing just one hit, and had three strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored no runs on one hit, had two errors, and left four runners on base.
ART U re-grouped during the break between games and came out very strong and ready to play in game two. The women were eager to turn things around and get something going for themselves in the game. Acting as the visiting team per PacWest conference rules, the Urban Knights got things going in the top of the third inning.
Junior Melissa Coe led the inning off with a single. She was then bunted over to second by sophomore Julie Martin, and advanced to third from a bunt by senior Alana Aweau. With two outs, freshman Elyse Cordova doubled to left-center field scoring Coe from third. Cordova proceeded to promptly steal third. Freshman Lauren Stover followed with a double to left-center field to score Cordova from third. Sophomore Jayme Stewart then stepped up to the plate and doubled to center field to score Stover from second. That rally gave the Knights a three run lead that would prove to keep the women ahead for most of the game.
Solid pitching by the Urban Knights' Sierrah Garcia kept the Sea Warriors off balance for most of the game. The opponents threatened a few times with runners on, but the solid ART U defense kept any of their opponent's runners from advancing. Just when it looked like ART U's three run lead would lead them to victory, the Knights decided they wanted more, and their offense exploded in the top of the seventh. After stringing several hits together and batting around the order, the Urban Knights added five more runs to their lead. The Knights' pitching and defense prevailed in the bottom of the seventh, and the women defeated the defending national champs with a final score of 8-0.
“In game two we had much better at bats, executed, and made the pitcher come to us,” said Coach Rachel Sherman.
Garcia threw a great game for the Knights. She went all seven innings pitched and was able to shut-out the Sea Warrior's powerful offense. Garcia allowed no runs, just four hits, and posted 11 strikeouts while recording the win for her team.
“Sierrah threw a great game” added Sherman. “She mixed her pitches well, worked ahead, and was able to set up the batters. Eleven strikeouts against the defending national champion s doesn't come easily. She worked hard today.”
ART U's offense was led by Cordova who went 3-4 with two doubles, one stolen base, two runs scored, and one run batted in. Also doing well was Coe who went 2-4 with one run scored, sophomore Andrea Hanchey who went 2-4 with one run, and one run scored, and Stewart who also went 2-4 with a double, a stolen base, one run scored, and two runs batted in. All nine Urban Knight batters recorded hits in the game, and six batters recorded runs.
For Hawaii Pacific, Breanne Patton led by going 2-3, and Celina Garces, and Laine Shikuma both went 1-2 in the game. Receiving the loss was Melissa Kirby who went seven innings pitched giving up 14 hits, eight runs, and posted three strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored eight runs on 14 hits, had no errors, and left eight runners on base.
After the split, the Academy of Art University's record is at 15-9 overall, and 7-3 in conference, while Hawaii Pacific University's record is at 18-6 overall, and 8-4 in conference. The Urban Knights play again tomorrow, March 28th to conclude their home-stand. The women are scheduled to host Chaminade University with game times set for 12:00 and 2:00 pm. Games will be held at Mission Blue Field.
