OAKLAND, Calif. – Academy of Art baseball welcomed in Hawaii Pacific on Monday, looking to break through with some wins on their home turf.
 
GAME ONE: HPU 8, ART U 6
 
Looking to distance themselves from the Sharks, the Urban Knights went to work early. After Hawaii Pacific scored in the top of the second, ART U returned the favor with a run in the bottom of the inning. The score continued to switch sides until the fifth inning when sophomore outfielder Jacoby Barragan singled to right field to drive in senior third baseman Tyler Strawn. This run batted in gave Academy of Art a 5-2 advantage.
 
In an attempt to regain the lead, HPU scored in both the seventh and eighth innings to enter the ninth trailing by just one run (6-5). Before the Urban Knights could record an out however, the Sharks had pulled even and would score two more runs to take an 8-6 lead. Unable to respond with any scoring of their own in the bottom of the ninth, Hawaii Pacific took game one, 8-6.
 
There were a few Knights who posted solid numbers during the loss including junior center fielder Cameron Jones (2-for-4), senior third baseman Tyler Strawn (2-for-3, double), and sophomore designated hitter Jacoby Barragan (2-for-4, RBI). Junior right hander Brett Bovee put together another solid effort on the mound, but earned a no-decision after tossing 7.0 innings on four runs, nine hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.
 
GAME TWO: ART U 12, HPU 3
 
Seeking revenge for the game one loss and looking to end a recent skid, the Urban Knights would take game two in decisive fashion.
 
ART U would score in each of the first six innings en route to recording a season-high 12 runs. Hawaii Pacific completed all of their scoring in the fourth inning, which at the time cut the Knights' lead to 5-3. However, ART U would respond with two runs in their half of the inning and five more runs over the next two frames.
 
One of the evening's biggest contributors was junior left hander Alexander Kuisel who pitched a career-high 9.0 innings while only allowing three runs (two earned), on eight hits, four strikeouts, and two walks. This marks the Chula Vista native's second consecutive complete game, dating back to March 20 against the Concordia Eagles.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Academy of Art saw contributions from all but two of their starting nine. Redshirt junior second baseman Erick Luna highlighted the game with a 3-for-5 effort including a double and two runs batted in. Senior left fielder Greg Ivory went 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs batted in, while both Barragan and senior right fielder Cody Edmunds posted two hits and two RBI apiece.
 
The series will continue on Tuesday, but the venue will shift to College of Alameda. The first pitch times for the double header are 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.