GAME #39 & #40
Academy of Art (7-31, 4-20 PacWest) at Hawaii Pacific (23-20, 13-15 PacWest)
Saturday, April 25, 2015 – 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. HST
Waipahu, Hawaii – Hans L'Orange Park
LIVE STATS
 
GAME #41 & #42
Academy of Art (7-31, 4-20 PacWest) at Hawaii Pacific (23-20, 13-15 PacWest)
Sunday, April 26, 2015 – Noon & 3 p.m. HST
Waipahu, Hawaii – Hans L'Orange Park
LIVE STATS
 
GAME #43 & #44
Academy of Art (7-31, 4-20 PacWest) at Hawaii-Hilo (8-35, 4-24 PacWest)
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 – 4 p.m. & 7p.m. HST
Hilo, Hawaii – UHH Baseball Field
LIVE STATS
 
GAME #45 & #46
Academy of Art (7-31, 4-20 PacWest) at Hawaii-Hilo (8-35, 4-24 PacWest)
Thursday, April 30, 2015 – 4 p.m. & 7p.m. HST
Hilo, Hawaii – UHH Baseball Field
LIVE STATS
 
SAN FRANCISCO — An opportunity presents itself in paradise this week when the Academy of Art University baseball team travels to the Hawaiian Islands to close the season with series against Hawaii Pacific and Hawaii Hilo, all in search of its best-ever finish in the Pacific West Conference standings.
 
Since PacWest baseball expanded to 10 teams in 2013 the Urban Knights (7-31, 4-20 PacWest) have yet to climb out of the cellar. But this week the team begins their season-ending road trip in eighth place – two games ahead of last-place University of Hawaii at Hilo and within five games of seventh place Holy Names, who still has eight games remaining against conference top-five teams Fresno Pacific and California Baptist.
 
Also up for grabs is the opportunity to match or beat the team record for wins. The mark was set a year ago at 12 (seven in PacWest play). The Urban Knights are already at seven overall victories (four in conference) with eight to play.
 
ABOUT HAWAII PACIFIC
The Sharks (23-20, 13-15 PacWest) started the season strong by winning 11 of their first 13 games. But HPU has since lost 16 of its last 18 games against teams not named UH Hilo. The Sharks completed a 12-game home-and-home series with the Vulcans from April 10-19, winning 10 times.
 
ABOUT HAWAII-HILO
The Vulcans (8-35, 4-24 PacWest) lost 10 of 12 games against islands neighbor Hawaii Pacific over the last two weeks. Prior to the back-to-back six-game sets against the Sharks, UHH had lost 19 of 20 games against teams from the mainland. Their 5-4 win over HPU on April 12 snapped a 14-game losing streak.
 
HERE COME THE BATS
ART U snapped a six-game losing streak on April 14 with an 8-4 win at San Francisco State. The offense has gained speed in recent weeks, scoring at least four runs in three of its last four games after doing it just seven times in the first 34 games of the season.
 
NATE AMONG NATION'S BEST
Senior starting pitcher Nate Gercken has been one of the nation's best ironmen on the mound this season. Through Thursday he is ranked No. 6 in the country in complete games (6) and No. 8 games started (12). He's also ranked 41st in NCAA Division II with a 0.99 WHIP (walks + hits per innings pitched). His 66 strikeouts are ranked 60th in the country.
 
MARCHINI MAKING HIS MARK
Junior center fielder Joseph Marchini has been on a tear during the last month. In his past 17 games he has hit .370 (27-for-73) and slugged .534 while carrying a .395 on-base percentage. He has amassed two home runs, a triple and four doubles during the stretch while scoring 13 times and driving in eight runs. He's also been flawless in the field, committing no errors and notching an outfield assist on March 28.