Box Score #1
Box Score #2

Brisbane, CA – Academy of Art University brought its momentum from Hawaii back to the mainland Wednesday with a sweep of Holy Names in the team's final non-conference games of the year. The Urban Knights won game one 5-1 behind 10 hits and another solid start from junior pitcher Kimberly Dauer who limited the Hawks to just three hits. ART U then scored eight runs on a season-best 17 hits in game two, using a five-run second inning to stay ahead and eventually win 8-4. Both contests were complete team efforts highlighted by a 6-for-7 day from freshman Haily MacDonald, who also picked up the game two win in the circle, and a 5-for-7 twinbill for sophomore infielder Lauren Stover.

“I think today's wins were about the little things,” head coach Rachel Sherman said. “There were no huge hits to get us the win rather it was the sum of lots of little things like bunts, slaps, steals, singles, and solid defense. That is a great way to win a game. Big hits will come, but you can't rely on home runs and triples to win consistently.”

Stepping into the box against HNU's Stephani Fairclough (6-2), who came into the day with a 0.78 ERA, ART U (16-21) plated a run early with singles from MacDonald and junior catcher Andrea Hanchey to load the bases for freshman infielder Taylor Thurman. Thurman would earn a run batted in on the walk and, after junior infielder Jayme Stewart worked through a 10-pitch at-bat, the Knights managed to force Fairclough into throwing 45 pitches in the first inning alone. The offense of Holy Names (17-16) would respond with an RBI single in the second inning to tie it up, 1-1.

In the third, a leadoff double by Stover bore fruit as Academy of Art brought her home on an RBI groundout by senior infielder Genna Allen following another lengthy at-bat. Dauer (10-8) found her groove during that time as well and racked up three of her four strikeouts in a span where she retired nine consecutive Hawks.

“Kim is leading the staff and proving that hard work and determination can win you games,” Coach Sherman said. “Even when she is not pitching her best or struggling on a specific pitch, she finds a way to bear down and do what is needed to help the team.”

The Urban Knights broke through again in the fifth when MacDonald hit an RBI single to score senior outfielder Ashley Lokey and Thurman then smashed a two-run double to left. The boost put ART U up 5-1 and, after Dauer completed a stretch of four straight hitless innings, Academy of Art tasted victory for the first time Wednesday.

“After having a long trip in Hawaii and then a week off with only two practices, I wasn't sure how we were going to come out today, but I'm proud of the team for trusting the adjustments we worked on during the week to be successful today against HNU's number one pitcher,” Coach Sherman said.


ART U's success continued early in game two when the Knights bounced back from a 1-0 hole with five runs on an incredible eight hits in the second. The outburst began with three consecutive singles from Thurman, senior outfielder Melissa Coe, and sophomore outfielder Elyse Cordova to load the bases. Lokey plated the first run with an infield RBI single as the bases-loaded knocks kept coming with Stover, MacDonald, and Hanchey all posting RBI singles. Though Holy Names then opted to change its pitcher, the Knights continued to score with yet another RBI single from Allen.

Now up 5-1, Academy of Art exchanged two scoreless innings with its opponent as MacDonald (5-5) completed a successful shutdown third inning and was able to strand the bases loaded in the fourth by keeping the ball in the infield. The Hawks, however, brought in three in the sixth via an RBI single and a two-run homer from Rachael Martinez to make it a precarious 5-4 lead for ART U.

The Knights' rebuttal would then come in the sixth with another trio of leadoff singles to load the bases. Stover, MacDonald, and Hanchey each got their third hit of game two to start it off before Thurman came through with an RBI single up the middle on the ninth pitch of her at-bat. Cordova then hit a two-run single to put the Knights ahead 8-4, where they would stay when the final out was made.

Picking up the win in game one was Dauer who, after throwing a complete 7.0 innings with just one run allowed, has now surrendered just five earned runs in her last 37.0 innings pitched to drop her ERA to a season-low 2.97. She allowed only three HNU hits with four walks and four strikeouts. MacDonald earned her fifth win of the year with 7.0 innings pitched, two earned runs allowed, and two strikeouts.

It was a variety of offensive contributions for ART U Wednesday with six different Urban Knights registering hits in game one and eight more Knights in the second contest. MacDonald led the way with a 3-for-3 opener followed by a 3-for-4 game two, finishing off the day with an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base in each contest.

“Haily had a great day at the plate,” Coach Sherman said. “She gives everything she has in every situation and that paid off today with either a hit through the infield or a hustle play to beat out the ball. It's nice to have her be able to contribute in the box as well as on the mound. Her future is bright.”

Stover, who upped her batting average by 50 points in Hawaii, doubled twice in her 2-for-3 game one, giving her 12 doubles on the year. She scored three runs in that contest as well and followed it up with a 3-for-4 game two which featured an RBI and a run scored.

“Stover is our smartest player,” Coach Sherman said. “She knows the game, she knows how to adjust, and she will do anything to see the team succeed. I'm glad she is in a groove and seeing the hard work pay off at the plate.”

Thurman, who was 1-for-2 in the opener, as well as Cordova (2-for-3 with two stolen bases in game one) were two of six Knights to have multi-hit games in the second contest. The 17-hit game two explosion saw Hanchey go 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base while Lokey finished that one 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Thurman completed the doubleheader 3-for-6 with a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Cordova followed suit, going 4-for-7 with two RBIs and a run scored on the day.

Much of Holy Names' offensive success came from Martinez (1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs) and Samantha Fisher (3-for-4). Fairclough took the loss and was hit hard by the Knights, allowing five runs on nine hits with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings. In her first start of the season, Allison Snider (0-1) sustained a loss after surrendering five runs on eight hits in 1.1 innings.

Academy of Art returns to PacWest play this weekend with a doubleheader at Notre Dame de Namur. The games are set for Saturday, Apr. 7 at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM at Notre Dame High School.