A smash of bat on ball. The smack of a glove. An encouraging cheer. These sounds emanating from daily practices at Mission Blue Field signify that a new Academy of Art University Softball season is nearly upon us. The 2013 Urban Knights offer many familiar faces including a devoted senior class, however, among those new to the program are co-head coaches Sami Strinz and Randy Ward. The duo who joined ART U after teaming up for a conference championship at Division I Saint Mary's are excited to see what the coming year of Academy of Art Softball holds.

“Coming to Academy of Art was a really good opportunity for us,” Coach Strinz said. “We're dealing with athletes who are passionate people. They're passionate about the career they want to go into and they're also passionate about softball. And that's all you can ask for as a coach.”

Prepared to embark upon a 48-game schedule beginning at Humboldt State this Saturday, Feb. 2 (1:00 PM, Live Stats), ART U will taste a variety of the competition from around the West Region in 2013. From participation in both the Montana State-Billings Desert Stinger and Cal State Stanislaus' Tournament of Champions to several non-conference battles with CCAA opponents to many strong teams in the PacWest, Academy of Art University's first season with the possibility of competing for a NCAA Championship will prove a necessary challenge. For a closer look at the Urban Knights' 2013 schedule, click here.

The incoming tandem of Coach Strinz and Coach Ward had their own success in 2012. At Saint Mary's, they led the Gaels to a program-best 15-4 record in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference and eventually a PCSC Coastal Division Championship. As the pitching coach, Strinz helped Jessica Lemmon become the PCSC Coastal Division Pitcher of the Year while Ward, the hitting coach, guided the team to top five finishes in nearly every offensive category. Both Strinz and Ward had also many achievements in their four-year stint at the University of North Dakota.

“Coach Ward and I really like to empower our student-athletes,” Coach Strinz said. “We want our overall philosophy to be to help make them strong and independent women. We use softball as a tool to get us there. We're really big on the mental game, staying present, and playing the game one pitch at a time. The biggest things that we focus on are controllables. And there are only things in all of life that you can control: Your attitude, your effort, and your response to any type of success or adversity.”

The largest senior class in program history will feature five dedicated Urban Knights including Kimberly Dauer, Andrea Hanchey, Julie Martin, Alyssa Hickey, and Nicole Smith. All full three-year contributors to Academy of Art University, this group has poured its collective heart and soul into making the program a success over the previous seasons.

"I'm excited to finally be able to go post-season," Dauer said. "I've been here for three years and all of us seniors are ready for that chance to compete in NCAA Nationals."

Dauer, a 2012 All-PacWest Second Teamer, led the team with a 2.66 ERA last year. Offensively, Hanchey offered four home runs and 20 RBIs while starting all but one game. Martin has hit over .280 in her ART U career with a quickness that has often given her an edge in the outfield and out of the box as a slapper. Two tough infielders capable of giving the team whatever is necessary on any given day, Hickey and Smith complete a strong leadership core.

“I would want the seniors to be remembered as hard workers on and off the field,” Martin said. “And I would hope that the underclassmen would strive for and carry on that legacy.”

Having passed the halfway mark of their respective collegiate careers, juniors Elyse Cordova and Lauren Stover enter 2013 coming off incredibly hot seasons in 2012. Cordova was a NFCA All-West Region Second Team honoree and an All-PacWest First Team recipient after leading the PacWest with a .441 batting average to go with 20 stolen bases. Stover, who hit .349 and posted two separate 10-game hit streaks during the year, wrapped up her sophomore campaign among the PacWest leaders in doubles (16) and was considered one of the Urban Knights' top defenders. She earned an All-PacWest Second Team selection.

In addition to several strong arms in the circle, ART U's sophomore class also features one of the top returning bats and former red-shirt ready to show her skills. The trio of Haily MacDonald, Kristin Valdivia, and Kamyle Glover return to add depth and variety to the Knights' rotation. MacDonald became the first Academy of Art freshman to ever throw three shutouts in a single season (two of which were in Hawaii). Taylor Thurman, who hit .331 and had one of the highest on-base percentages (.404) on the team, will return along with Jasmine Dickenson who red-shirted in 2012 after playing for UH Hilo previously.


A quartet of talented freshmen rounds out the 2013 Academy of Art University squad. Andrea Gill (Chino, CA), a versatile athlete who played both basketball and softball at Don Lugo High School, provides speed in the outfield while Jessica Marin (Newark, CA) a multi-sport captain in multiple sports at Moreau Catholic High School, figures to be add crucial support behind the plate.

Elise Oldham (Scottsdale, AZ/Scottsdale) brings offense in the infield and Shelby Gill (Wilton, CA) is quickly making a name for herself in the circle, having a host of honors from Liberty Ranch High School including the program's single-season strikeout record.

Equipped with over 14 years of combined experience in its senior quintet, a dynamic mix of new talent, and the guidance of proven winners Coach Strinz and Coach Ward, the 2013 Academy of Art University Softball campaign is surely not one to miss.

“Our goals for the season are to be PacWest Champions and just to dominate,” Hanchey said.