Box Score #1
Box Score #2
Phoenix, AZ – The Academy of Art University's softball team traveled out of state to face Grand Canyon University on Saturday afternoon, playing games one and two of a four game series. Although the weather was in the 90's, the Urban Knights seemed un-affected, and came out strong on the day. As usual, ART U's offense was solid, and putting up big numbers to back their strong pitching. But again it was defense that stood in the Knights' way. In game one, the Knights battled back and forth with the 'Lopes before falling in the bottom of the seventh with a final score of 6-7. But the team rallied back for game two, and took control of things early on. ART U was victorious in game two winning with a score of 7-5.
“The difference in the two games was defense,” said Head Coach Rachel Sherman. “We struggled defensively in game one and gave them [Grand Canyon] extra chances, and allowed their offensive innings to go longer than needed. In game two we buckled down and did a good job taking care of the ball.”
In game one, Grand Canyon got things going early on when they scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead. But the Knights answered right back, and scored four runs in the top of the second to take over the lead. The rally was sparked by a lead-off homerun by junior Genna Allen. Unfortunately the two run lead would not last long for ART U, as GCU tied the game in the bottom of the second when they scored twice, capitalizing on errors.
However, ART U kept chipping away as they always do, trying to pull away from the 'Lopes. After the Knights would score, the 'lopes would do the same making sure they were never too far ahead. ART U scored once in the top of the fifth when senior Alana Aweau drew a two out bases loaded walk. But the 'Lopes scored a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. ART U then tried to pull ahead yet again when they scored in the top of the sixth. This time it was sophomore Alyssa Hickey who drew a bases loaded walk which scored the runner from third. But again, GCU answered with another run of their own in the bottom of the inning to keep the game tied.
The Knights went scoreless in the seventh which allowed the 'Lopes the momentum heading into the bottom of the inning. With untimely errors coming in the seventh, the Knights could not keep GCU from scoring, and the team lost the heartbreaker with a final score of 7-6.
Leading the Knights offensively was sophomore Jayme Stewart who went 3-4. Allen also did well going 2-3 with a home run, one run, and one RBI, and freshman Lauren Stover stood out going 2-5 with one run scored. Aweau was a huge help offensively drawing two walks and a hit by pitch, scored one run, and had two RBI.
On the mound for ART U was freshman Katie Brooks who did very well going 5.1 innings allowing 11 hits, six runs (three earned), and had four strikeouts. Junior Sierrah Garcia came in for relief and went 1.1 innings allowing two hits, one run, and posted four strikeouts. Garcia received the loss in the game.
For the 'Lopes, Claire Zampini went 2-5 with two runs and one RBI, Teddy Barry went 2-4 with a double, one run, and three RBI, Michelle Rasmussen went 2-4 with one RBI, and Kara Holtorf also went 2-4 with one run and one RBI. Danielle Jackman started on the mound and went 5.2 innings allowing nine hits, six earned runs, and had one strikeout, before Ivy Campas came in for relief going 1.1 innings giving up no hits. Campas receives the win in the game.
The Urban Knights scored six runs on nine hits, committed three errors, and left 12 runners on base.
The team used the break between games to re-group and get settled. In game two ART U looked much more like themselves as their defense was flawless to back up their offense and pitching. The Urban Knights' offense never let up on the day and it quickly showed in the second game.
“One of the best things about us is that we never give up,” said Head Coach Rachel Sherman. “We don't hold on to a loss for long and we bounce back and get ready for the next game. We have been hitting well all year which gives our offense the confidence to come back anytime.”
Acting as the home team per PacWest rules, the Urban Knights got things going first when they struck in the bottom of the second inning. The team manufactured four runs to take the lead, and never looked back from there. Again it was junior Genna Allen who started the scoring for the Knights when she led off the second inning with a solo home run over the right field fence. Later in the inning, senior Alana Aweau doubled to right-center field scoring sophomore Jayme Stewart and junior Melissa Coe from second and third. Freshman Lauren Stover followed with a single to right field to score sophomore Julie Martin from third.
After the 'Lopes scored three in the top of the third, the Knights new they had to score more in order to avoid an upset like in game one. ART U tacked on one more run in the bottom of the third when sophomore Alyssa Hickey hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Allen from third. As usual, the 'Lopes answered with a run in the top of the fourth, and one more run in the fifth. ART U kept right on slugging, however, and added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Aweau came up to bat with two outs and a runner on first. She then hit a shot to left field that quickly left the park for a two-run home run. That homer broke the tie, and gave her team a two run lead heading into the late innings. ART U's pitching shut down the 'Lopes offense for the remaining two innings, and paired with tough defense, the Knights were able to defeat GCU with a final score of 7-5.
Aweau led the offensive charge for the Urban Knights going 3-4 with a home run, a double, one run, and four RBI. “Alana had a great day. In game one she was very patient in high pressure situations drawing two walks and a hit by pitch. And in game two she did a great job throwing her hands to the ball, staying patient, and staying in control with her swing,” exclaimed Coach Sherman.
Allen also did very well going 3-4 with a home run, one run, one RBI, and a stolen base, and Martin stood out going 2-2 with two runs scored. Rounding out the scoring was Stover who went 2-4 with one run batted in, and both Stewart and Coe recorded a hit and a run in the game.
Starting on the mound for ART U was Kimberly Dauer who threw a great game going four innings allowing eight hits, five earned runs, and recording five strikeouts. Junior Sierrah Garcia came in for relief and went three innings giving up just four hits, no runs, and posted six strikeouts. Garcia received the win in the game.
“I'm very proud of all our pitchers,” added Sherman. “Katie and Kim did a very good job at carrying over stuff we have been working on for the last two weeks; and Sierrah did a good job coming in to both games to mix it up and keep the Antelopes off balance. All three will continue to see success if they hit their spots, keep the ball down, and we play defense behind them.”
For GCU, Teddy Barry led going 3-4 with a double, a home run, one run, four RBI, and a stolen base. Vanessa Ramirez went 3-4, while Kara Holtorf went 3-3 with one run, and one RBI. Receiving the loss was Ivy Campas who came in for relief and went three innings allowing four hits, two earned runs, and had five strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored seven runs on 12 hits, had no errors, and left nine runners on base.
After the split, the Academy of Art University's record sits at 28-19 overall and 16-10 in conference, while Grand Canyon University's record is at 21-24 overall, and 13-13 in conference. The two teams play again tomorrow, May 1st in the final games of the 2011 season. Game times are set for 12:00 and 2:00 PM in Phoenix, AZ.
