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Box Score 2
Oakland, CA -- On the final day of the 2013 season, the Academy of Art University baseball team found themselves just off the pace against new PacWest foe Azusa Pacific, as the Cougars rallied late for the second day in a row to win the first game 7-1 and the second game 6-4. For the Knights, many members of this year's team finished strong as they honored their three seniors, who all contributed in their final collegiate appearances.
Nick Boyett allowed single runs in the first and second, as a double from Brendan Casey in the first scored a run and a double from Joe Huthsing in the second scored another to give APU an early 2-0 lead. But, like many of his starts this season, he settled in after that, only allowing one hit from the second until the sixth inning, a single in the third inning.
Unfortunately the Urban Knights couldn't get anything across, and in the seventh inning, the Cougars added three more runs, as Boyett allowed a hit, two walks, and a fielder's choice to get the first one. Matt Kimmel then tripled to center, scoring two more runs before Ryan Henley fouled out to end the inning. They would add two more in the eighth off of
Kai Fink, both unearned, as Fink made a throwing error on a bunt that went down the right field line and made it a 7-0 game.
Academy of Art had a late rally, as senior
Stefen Henderson singled and stole two bases to set up an RBI single from
Lyle "Kalani" Brackenridge.
Dante Redhead doubled to right center after that, but
Kevin Decker grounded out to the third baseman to end the game.
Boyett (2-10) had his longest outing of the year but was charged with five runs and took the loss. Brackenridge and Redhead were each 2-for-4 for ART U. Hunter Brown (2-3) went the distance for the win, notching six strikeouts along the way. Tyler Putjenter, Casey, and Andrew Carrillo all had multi-hit games for the Cougars.
Nate Gercken made his final start of the year for the Knights in the second game and was also solid. He gave up a sole run in the top of the first inning when a leadoff walk came around to score, but the Urban Knights got that run back immediately in the bottom of the inning. Henderson walked, stole second, and went to third on a groundout. He would also score on a ground ball from
Dante Redhead that tied the game, and it was 1-1.
ART U then rallied to take the lead in the third inning, all with two outs. Brackenridge had a rough at-bat, fouling the first pitch off his foot and getting drilled in the leg with the second pitch, but got on base. He stole second, and Redhead walked.
James Singzon singled down the line, loading the bases for
Wade Broadstreet. After falling behind 0-2, Broadstreet took a ball and then sent the next one to left-center, scoring all three runs and giving Academy of Art a 4-1 lead.
The Cougars responded with two runs of their own in the fourth, using two singles and a double to make it a one-run game once again. They would take the lead in the sixth off of Gercken, who gave up a lead-off double, and infield single, and a single to center to tie the game at 4-4.
Ryan Donahoe came in to pitch, but after striking out the first batter, he allowed a pair of singles that put APU ahead 6-4.
In the final inning, the Knights had one more chance, and got a leadoff double from freshman Joey Marchini.
Cody Edmunds walked on a seven-pitch at bat, and Marchini took third on a failed pickoff attempt. Henderson popped the next ball up, but the third-baseman muffed the catch, which held Marchini at third but forced out Edmunds at second. Henderson then stole second, but Brackenridge popped up to the pitcher and Redhead grounded out to strand the tying run on second base.
Singzon had the only multi-hit game in the capper, Marchini and Broadstreet both hit doubles. Donahoe pitched a scoreless two innings of relief, while Gercken (2-8) took the loss. Joel Belk (4-0) got the win for Azusa, who used a 3-for-4 day from Matt Kimmel to fuel their rallies.
The Urban Knights ended the year with the most wins in program history and many more positives to build on, as their pitching posted the lowest team ERA in program history as well. Coach Brian Guinn and his staff see much potential for the 2014 season.
