Box Score #1
Box Score #2

Chico, CA – The Academy of Art University softball team pushed No. 15 Chico State to the absolute limit in game two Friday afternoon at University Softball Field. The Wildcats, who prevailed 9-0 in game one, entered into a see-saw battle with ART U late in the second contest. The Urban Knights led 2-1 for the majority of the game, temporarily lost the lead in the sixth, regained it with a three-run rally in the seventh, and ultimately fell 6-5 after CSUC scored three of its own. Freshman pitcher Haily MacDonald was strong in the first start of her Academy of Art career and was supported by solid offensive production from junior Andrea Hanchey and senior Genna Allen from the heart of the order.

“I was very proud of our fight in game two,” head coach Rachel Sherman. “It is not easy to come out strong after a mercy, but we gathered ourselves and went into the game with nothing to lose.”

The No. 15 Wildcats went right to work in the first inning of game one with three runs on five hits to go ahead 3-0. In the second, Hanchey, who was named to the Desert Stinger All-Tournament Second Team last week, made her way to third base on a single and later a steal, but she ended up being left stranded after two more outs were made. Chico State added one more in the third and then their offense picked up with five runs in the fourth despite ART U getting two early outs. CSUC would go on to take the 9-0 victory in five innings.


In the second contest, a determined Academy of Art squad would get an early advantage against Wildcats' starter and CCAA Pitcher of the Week Jessica McDermott. Senior outfielder Ashley Lokey began the game as she frequently did in 2010 with a leadoff walk and after she was bunted over by sophomore infielder Lauren Stover, Lokey swiped third. Allen then delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 ART U.

“Genna is a great leader for us and she is believing in that and finding ways to help the team on defense and offense which is showing her confidence,” Coach Sherman said. “She has learned how to adjust to different pitchers and is trusting her hard work at practice come game time.”

MacDonald would proceed to help ART U hold that lead with a scoreless first inning in the first start her young Urban Knight career. McDermott, MacDonald's counterpart who had previously defeated No. 1 UC San Diego twice last week, was then knocked out of the game during an ART U rally in the top of the third. After Stover led off with a double, Hanchey brought her teammate around on a RBI double of her own.

“Dre is doing a great job on defense and in the box,” Coach Sherman said. “She is staying patient, truly getting an understanding of situational hitting, and sticking to a plan in the box. She is a competitor and the maturity she is showing on the field is making me proud.”

Back to work defensively, MacDonald, who had used a double play to exit the first, induced another twin killing to get through the third and it was 2-1 Urban Knights at that point. Chico State got a runner to third base in each of the next two innings, but MacDonald managed to strand both Wildcats. CSUC, however, would finally break through in the sixth when a two-run double came off the bat of Emily McEnaney put her team up 3-2. That left ART U with one inning to stage a comeback.

In what would be a dramatic top of the seventh inning for both teams, ART U managed to load the bases with three singles and then Allen knocked a game-tying RBI single through the left side. Hanchey followed by driving in the go-ahead run on a single of her own and then a 5-3 cushion was created on junior infielder Jayme Stewart's sacrifice fly with the bases still loaded.

The Wildcats, however, had one final opportunity to respond and they did so with a three-run seventh which would put them over the top 6-5. The final frame started off with a triple and later with the bases loaded, the tying run scored on a walk before a fielding error allowed the final run to score in walk-off fashion.

For Academy of Art, Hanchey finished the day going 4-for-6 with a double, two RBIs, and a stolen base. Allen added a 2-for-5 doubleheader with two RBIs as well. On the mound in her first start, MacDonald (1-1) went 6.2 innings and allowed five earned runs, but only one of those came in the first five innings. ART U, who has taken four losses by two runs or fewer, is now 2-9 overall this year.

“Haily threw a phenomenal game, the team had lots of confidence in her, and played strong defense behind her,” Coach Sherman said. “Haily has a bright future for us and despite the way the game ended, I have even more confidence in her and I know she will only get better from her outing today.”

No. 15 Chico State, who improves to 9-2, was led offensively by Diana Payan, who went 3-for-4 with five RBIs, and Emily McEaney finished game two 1-for-2 with four RBIs. Sam Baker (4-1) picked up the game one victory for the Wildcats with no runs and two hits allowed as well as four strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched. No CSUC pitcher threw more than 3.2 innings in game two and it was Cassidy Olson (1-0) who wound up with the victory after pitching two thirds of an inning despite allowing two hits.

“I believe the second game was our turning point,” Coach Sherman said. “Our energy was up all game, we executed some small stuff at the plate, and adjusted to the pitchers throughout the game. I'm excited to get back at it Sunday.”

The Urban Knights will next be in action against Humboldt State this Sunday, Feb. 19. It will be Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day as ART U returns to its home of Mission Blue Field for the 11:00 AM doubleheader. If you are an Academy of Art University student or employee, make sure to sign up for the Fan Bus here: http://bit.ly/eC8mrO