FRESNO, Calif. – Academy of Art took a 2-1 series lead into game four on Saturday after sweeping Friday's doubleheader and the Urban Knights looked strong once again: ART U came from behind twice to win their second-consecutive extra-innings matchup after throwing out the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth.
 
The Urban Knights got on the board first in the opening half-inning, scoring after junior catcher Marciano Reichel singled to left-center to drive in senior infielder Erick Luna from second. However, the Sunbirds were quick to respond, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead.
 
After scoring the opening run of the ballgame, Luna became a factor once again the top of the third. With a runner on first, the Sylmar, Calif. native doubled down the left-field to score the runner, knotting the game at two runs apiece. The game cruised through the fourth untainted by scoring plays, but that changed in the second half of the fifth inning when an FPU sac fly gave the Sunbirds a 3-2 advantage.
 
Academy of Art countered with a big, three-run home run from junior outfielder Izac Bauer in the top of the seventh, giving the Knights a 5-3 lead. His homer came on a 1-1 pitch, giving the Urban Knights a 5-3 lead. Bauer now touts a team-leading four home runs which is tied for the second-most home runs in a single season in program history.
 
FPU also put together a strong bottom of the seventh as well, adding three runs to their tally to regain a one-point lead in the series finale. However, ART U responded with another run of their own in the eighth thanks to a failed pickoff attempt which allowed senior outfielder Cameron Jones to score, tying the game once again.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, the Sunbirds looked to put together a rally which would have resulted in a walkoff victory had it not been a for a game-saving assist at the plate. With two outs and a runner on second, Fresno Pacific's Sievers singled through the left side and the third base coach waved the runner home. However, Jones and sophomore infielder Robert "Gio" Villanueva put together a relay to nab the runner at the plate, thus ending FPU's walkoff bid, sending the contest into extra innings.
 
In the top of the tenth, the Urban Knights loaded the bases with no outs which set up a pair of RBI singles from junior outfielder Evan Ray and Villanueva that allowed ART U to take an 8-6 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Fresno managed to put a pair of runners on base with two outs, but their attempt to score was deemed futile after senior left-hander Jacob Green struck out the final batter swinging to receive his fourth win of the season.
 
Senior lefty Alex Fernandez was given the ball to start Saturday's affair and matched his career-high, 8.0 innings pitched. Despite allowing six runs, only four were earned and Fernandez struck out five batters and walked four.
 
On the offensive side, Academy of Art set their season-high hits total for the second-consecutive night, totaling 18 altogether. Both Luna and Reichel had four-hit games which was a career-high for the catcher, while junior infielder Michael Maleski roped three hits and Bauer and Villanueva each recorded two. Combined, the second through sixth batters batted .619 (13-for-21), with five RBI and six runs scored.

"This weekend was special for the guys," said head coach Dan McDermott. "We played a very, very good program. The games were hard fought and we came back several times to regain the lead."
 
The Urban Knights have now taken two series in row and six of their last eight games. They will look to keep the streak alive when they host Point Loma in their final matches of the 2017 season. The series will feature a pair of doubleheaders beginning on Friday, April 28.