GAMES #15-16
ART U (4-8) vs. Azusa Pacific (4-4)
Azusa, CA -- Cougar Baseball Field
Live Stats | Live Video
Thursday, February 27 at 12:00 PM (DH)
LEADING OFF
Last year ART U called their series against Chico State a measuring stick, taking on one of the top teams in the region and taking it on the chin in a couple games. Head coach Brian Guinn said the same thing this year, that they would be able to see their progress against a still impressive Chico team, and while the Knights struggled to push runs across, their pitching was stout, only allowing 10 earned runs in the four games. They'll face APU in a series that has since been split into two road trips because of the torrential weather heading towards Southern California.
GERCKEN KNOWS QUALITY
Nate Gercken has improved every year that he has pitched for the Knights, and this year is no different, as the big righty has thrown a quality start in each of his three appearances. In the major leagues, a "quality start" is defined as a game in which the pitcher throws at least six innings while allowing no more than three earned runs. Gercken has done that in starts against American Sports University (6.0 IP, 0 ER), Central Washington (6.2 IP, 2 ER), and Chico State (6.1 IP, 0 ER), and now has a miniscule 0.95 ERA in 19.0 innings, allowing only one extra base hit and striking out 16 to only three walks.
COUGARS LIKE FRIENDLY CONFINES
Azusa Pacific has played eight games on the year, and have won every game at home while dropping all four games on the road. The Cougars were also swept by Chico State but have split games with Concordia while also notching a pair of wins against Cal State San Bernardino. On offense they're led by shortstop Daniel Martin, who is hitting .435 and also slugging over .700 with a homer and four doubles. Their pitching staff as a whole has a terrific 2.11 ERA, with three of their four starters posting ERAs under 2.00 on the year.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Weather permitting, the Knights will get the doubleheader in tomorrow with the other two games of the series tentatively scheduled for March 18 in Azusa. Before that, the Urban Knights will host Dixie State at home on March 10-12.
