OAKLAND, Calif. – In game two of the series between Academy of Art and Fresno Pacific, the Urban Knights saw yet another stellar performance by their starting pitcher. However, in similar fashion to the series opener, Fresno Pacific posted a late comeback which included a 6-run ninth inning to take the game 8-2.
 
The Urban Knights struck first in the contest, getting on the board in the bottom of the second: junior designated hitter Donnie Gardiner led off the inning with a single to left center and later scored when freshman outfielder Noah Daubin singled and forced a throwing error.
 
ART U scored again two innings later when senior outfielder Evan Ray drove in Gardiner from second with a single up the middle. Ray's run batted in gave the Urban Knights a 2-0 lead which was more than enough for junior right-hander Ben Kaser who shined in his first game following his no-hitter on February 17.
 
Kaser racked up six strikeouts in the outing, all of which were recorded in his first 5.0 innings of work. The Van Nuys, Calif. native only allowed one earned run while scattering seven hits and one walk. Leaving the game with a 1-run, 2-1 lead, Kaser made way for Gardiner who entered the fray in the eighth.
 
After tying the game with a run in the eighth, Fresno Pacific managed to plate six more in the ninth, sending 10 batters to the plate in the frame. Academy of Art looked to respond in the bottom of the inning, but they were retired in eight pitches to fall by the score of 8-2.
 
With an overall record of 5-6, ART U is now 0-2 in conference after dropping the first two games of the series. The Urban Knights will close out the series on Saturday with a Noon/3:00 p.m. doubleheader and they will look to sweep the set in order to split the series with the Sunbirds.