AZUSA, Calif. – It was a back-and-forth series finale in Azusa where ART U held the lead twice, including after a five-run eighth-inning. However, the No. 1 Cougars managed to pull away for good in their half of the eighth, taking the contest 11-9.
 
The Urban Knights jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a double from senior catcher Marciano Reichel which drove in seniors Jackson Murphy and Alex Fernandez. However, APU returned the favor with a run in bottom of the frame, followed by three more over the next two innings.
 
The Cougars plated another run in the sixth, but this time, ART U managed to retaliate with a pair of runs in the seventh, cutting the deficit to one run (5-4). Murphy was credited with a run batted in after recording an infield single with the bases loaded. The other Knights run came on a wild pitch which permitted Fernandez to score from third.
 
APU recaptured their two-run lead, scoring a run to give them a 6-4 lead in the following frame. Their advantage did not last long however, as ART U put together their biggest inning of the series in the eighth: Academy of Art plated five runs to vault themselves into the lead with a score of 9-6. However, Azusa Pacific was not yet finished, as they mirrored the Urban Knights' inning with five runs of their own.
 
Now trailing 11-9, ART U headed into the ninth inning facing their final three outs. The Urban Knights were in business right away, putting runners on first and second with no outs thanks to a single from senior outfielder Izac Bauer and a walk from senior infielder Brennan Mauchline. With one out, senior outfielder Taylor Martin was patient at the plate and worked the count full before walking to load the bases with still, just one out. The next batter was junior catcher Zak May, but he fouled out to first base with a 1-1 count. The final chance for ART U was senior outfielder Kyle McGraw. The Castaic, Calif. native also worked it to a full count, but in the game's final pitch, McGraw hit a sharp grounder to the second baseman who made the play at first to end the game.
 
Saturday afternoon's contest was the most productive of the series for the Urban Knights as they amassed nine runs on eight hits and produced three extra-base hits (three doubles). Bauer, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, went 2-for-2 with a run scored while both Murphy and Reichel each collected two RBI (one hit each). Academy of Art used five pitchers in the game with senior right-hander Chris Rost being the most effective. The native of Dixon, Calif. tossed 4.0 innings while allowing four hits and just one earned run.
 
Now, with an overall record of 12-13, ART U is 7-9 in conference-play. The Urban Knights will go home briefly as they will return to Southern California for their next series against Biola beginning March 22.