GAME #41-44
Academy of Art (11-29, 6-18 PacWest) vs. California Baptist (31-11, 14-10 PacWest)
Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 PM
Friday, April 25 at 4:00 PM (DH)
Saturday, April 26 at 11:00 AM
Riverside, CA -- Lancer Outdoor Athletic Complex
Live Stats | Live Audio (THU/FRI) | Live Video (SAT)

LEADING OFF
Academy of Art dropped a pair of doubleheaders to Fresno Pacific, picking up some solid pitching performances but falling to the Sunbirds in the series. Nate Gercken and Josh Lopez had good outings for the Urban Knights but the league-leading FPU pitching staff shut them down for four straight games. 
 
LANCERS LEVELING OUT IN CONFERENCE
After starting the year undefeated for the most part in non-conference play, California Baptist has struggled once in the PacWest schedule, comparing their 17-1 out of conference record to a 14-10 mark in the league. Last year's conference champs, the Lancers are currently tied for third behind Dixie State and Azusa Pacific, but still boast a formidable offense, hitting .312 as a team behind outfielder Andy Crowley's .388 mark, which ranks second in the conference. Crowley is first in total hits (69), runs (42), and also triples (4), while junior outfielder Nathan Antoun is hitting an even .300 with a team-leading 32 RBIs and three homers. Sophomore Trevor Oaks is an outstanding 8-0 on the mound, posting a 1.87 ERA and striking out more than a batter per inning, while Caleb Dirks has six saves and is striking out 11.73 batters per nine innings (43 Ks in 33.0 IP).
 
GERCKEN GETTING IT DONE ON MOUND
Academy of Art ace Nate Gercken has been a stalwart in the rotation for the Urban Knights, and after a complete game shutout against Holy Names on April 12, he came within one out of his second straight complete game against FPU, pitching 8.2 innings of 3-run ball against the Sunbirds. This year Gercken has a 2.75 ERA, good for 12th in the conference and first in program history for a single season, while also striking out 45 batters, well past his career high of 34 (twice) and coming up on the program record of 51, set by Darnell Quinney back in 2010. Gercken has an outside shot at surpassing Zach Mexicano on the career strikeouts list this season, but would need 18 punchouts and probably only has two more starts this season on the upcoming road trip. 

WHAT'S ON DECK
Academy of Art will head even further south finish up the 2014 season with a pair of away doubleheaders against Point Loma Nazarene University on May 2-3.