Sal Johnson
Rob Garcia
12
Winner Azusa Pacific APU 26-4, 13-3 PacWest
2
Academy of Art Univ. AAU-BASE 13-21, 9-11 PacWest
Winner
Azusa Pacific APU
26-4, 13-3 PacWest
12
Final
2
Academy of Art Univ. AAU-BASE
13-21, 9-11 PacWest
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Azusa Pacific APU 0 5 1 0 5 0 1 0 0 12 14 0
Academy of Art Univ. AAU-BASE 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 1

W: Layne Henderson (3-0) L: Verhees, Mason (0-2)

Game Recap: Baseball |

ART U Falls to No. 9 APU in Series Finale

SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art headed into Saturday's game trailing two games to one, hoping to snag a win and earn a series split against No. 9 Azusa Pacific. However, the Cougars' offense exploded for 12 runs including a pair of homers to take the contest by a score of 12-2.
 
Sophomore right-hander Mason Verhees headed to the mound in the top of the first for his fourth start of the season. The San Diego native managed to escape the inning unscathed despite loading the bases with just one out. APU was held scoreless thanks to a lineout to senior infielder Erick Luna who stepped on first base to double up the runner.
 
Verhees looked strong to begin his second inning of work, inducing a pair of flyouts before APU found their stride. The Cougars then proceeded to plate five runs before the final out was recorded including a three-run home run from Justin Gomez.
 
ART U denied the shut-down inning in the bottom of the frame however, pushing a pair of runs across after they managed to put runners at second and third with one out. Senior outfielder Cameron Jones got the scoring going when he hit a sacrifice fly to left field and sophomore infielder Robert "Gio" Villanueva added the Knights' second run when he singled through the right side. On the play, junior catcher Marciano Reichel crossed the plate, cutting the deficit to three runs (5-2).
 
The second inning was the only frame in which Academy of Art scored. However, the Urban Knights managed to load the bases in the third with just one out and put another runner in scoring position again in the eighth.
 
Meanwhile, Azusa Pacific scored seven runs between the third and seventh innings to take a 12-2 lead. Of the four Knights to toe the rubber on Saturday, junior righty Sal Johnson was the only pitcher to not allow a run. Johnson hit the first batter, but managed to record his three outs with just nine pitches afterwards.
 
Academy of Art will now hit the road for a four-game set against No. 21 Dixie State. Their first game will take place on April 7 at 6:00 p.m. MT.