TURLOCK, Calif. – History made.

Back at Pedretti Sports Complex on Sunday, Academy of Art Softball did something no team had done before, winning all five of its games in the Tournament of Champions with victories over Cal State San Marcos and Western Washington. The Urban Knights scored a season-high 12 runs and matched the single-inning program record with nine of those in the third alone en route to a 12-2 five-inning victory over the Cougars. Later in the afternoon, ART U blanked the Vikings 4-0 with senior pitcher Brenna Mitchell (2-3) and freshman pitcher Brooke Larsen (14-2), the Tournament Most Valuable Player, combining for the team's fourth shutout during their current eight-game win streak which is the longest in program history.

"I am incredibly proud of this team and our seniors," said head coach Sonja Garnett. "We played a great five games and both Brenna [Mitchell] and Sam [Klune] were composed and started rallies for us all weekend. I could not be more proud of their leadership."

GAME 1 – ART U 12, CSUSM 2 (5)
Three batters into the contest, Academy of Art was on the board after a single, an error, and Mitchell's sacrifice fly. That initial score was rebutted by Cal State San Marcos' two runs in the bottom of the first, but the scales tipped back to ART U in the second when a two-run outfield error on a ball off the bat of sophomore utility Dominique Seva'aetasi made it 3-2 Knights.

After freshman pitcher Cecilia Lopez (6-4) held the lead in the second, Academy of Art unloaded a historic rally in the third. A single and a walk set the table for junior infielder Brenna Youngquist's two-run single and sophomore catcher Ryia Grant added another run on a single. The runs continued to touch home as both Seva'aetasi and Mitchell drove in one apiece on two fielder's choices. Senior infielder Samantha Klune then smacked a single to right, plating two as well as one more on an error. Finally, Larsen singled in the ninth run of the inning to tie the ART U program record set in the first inning of a 13-3 victory over Holy Names on Feb. 27, 2016.

"Our hitters really swung well this weekend," said Garnett. "We competed at the plate and played each game pitch by pitch. I think that was a key factor in coming back from behind against Cal State Dominguez Hills, scoring what we needed to win both tough games day one, and our big rally versus Cal State San Marcos today."

Opening the third inning in a relief appearance, freshman pitcher Hannah Rose Balke (2-2) and the Academy of Art defense kept the CSUSM offense, who had averaged a little over 6.0 runs per game in the four prior contests, off the scoreboard with seven straight batters retired before five innings had been completed. With the run-rule triggered, the Knights prevailed 12-2.

GAME 2 – ART U 4, WWU 0
Western Washington starter Shearyna Labasan (4-10) began the contest by throwing three perfect innings, but she was nearly matched by Mitchell, ART U's starter. The senior struck out four and allowed just two hits in the first two innings, but two singles in the third led Academy of Art to turn to Larsen in relief. The freshman immediately exited the jam with a strikeout and she would prove to be nearly untouchable once again the rest of the way.

Larsen gave up a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt in the fourth, but promptly sat down the next two batters on strikes. In the bottom half of that inning, the Knights broke through after a leadoff single and steal from sophomore outfielder Gabi Hirsch. Still in the lineup as a hitter, Mitchell was then the one to drive in the first run on a double and Klune traded places with her fellow senior, adding another run-scoring double.

After Larsen struck out two more in a clean fifth, Academy of Art pushed a 3-0 advantage with a double by Youngquist plus a single from Seva'aetasi. It was a bit of déjà vu as Larsen struck out two more in the sixth and ART U rallied with a leadoff walk then later a pinch-hit run-scoring single from freshman catcher Lauryn Henderson. The Knights maintained the 4-0 lead the rest of the way as Larsen completed a stretch of 12 consecutive batters retired.

"First, Brenna [Mitchell] had an outstanding performance and was really throwing well," said Garnett. "We brought Brooke in to change the momentum and she shut them down the rest of the game."

ART U departs its sixth Tournament of Champions at 24-11 overall. Both Chico State and Academy of Art went undefeated over the weekend, winning all five of their games. However, the No. 3 Wildcats ended as the tournament champions based on a 26-19 run-differential.

Klune finished the day 2-for-6 with three runs batted in and a double for a seven-game hit streak now, Hirsch was 3-for-4 in the first game before ending Sunday 4-for-7 with four runs scored and two stolen bases, Mitchell was 1-for-5 with two RBIs plus a double, and Seva'aetasi added a pair of RBIs in her 1-for-6 twinbill. Youngquist was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and both Grant and Larsen were each 2-for-6 with one RBI apiece. Sophomore infielder Gracie Sotomayor finished as a member of the All-Tournament team after hitting .467 (7-for-15) with four RBIs, a triple, two steals, and three runs scored.

Balke collected her second win of the season with three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three. Composing a combined shutout, Mitchell allowed four hits, walked none, and struck out five in 2.2 innings  then Larsen gave up just one hit with no walks and nine strikeouts in 4.1 innings before earning her 14th victory of the year. The 14 strikeouts versus WWU tie for the second-most in the program's single-game history.

The loss combined with a win over Chaminade gave Cal State San Marcos a 7-26 record exiting the tournament. Western Washington falls to 9-19 after the day's result.

In its return to Pacific West Conference play, Academy of Art will begin a four-game, two-day series with Chaminade this Tuesday, Mar. 27. Noon doubleheaders are set to take place at Mission Blue Field both days.

"This part of season feels good, but we cannot take our foot off the gas," said Garnett. "The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need to focus on our next challenge which is a tough Chaminade team."

All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player: 
Brooke Larsen, Academy of Art, P, Fr.
 
Name, School, Position, Year
Lindsay Miller, Saint Martin's, OF/P, Sr.
Lauren Maley, Saint Martin's, P, Jr.
Brooke Larsen, Academy of Art, P, Fr.
Gracie Sotomayor, Academy of Art, UTL, So.
Haley Gilham, Chico State, P, Sr.
Wendy Cardinali, Chico State, IF, Jr.
Lexie Strasser, Central Washingotn, P, Fr. 
Taelor Griffin, Central Washington, 1B, Sr.
Bailey Gaspar, Hawaii Hilo, IF, Sr.
Ruby Quiralte, Stanislaus State, C, Sr.
Karen Roman, Cal State San Marcos, P/3B, So.
Amanda Ramirez, CS San Bernardino, P, Jr.
Callie Nunes, Concordia Irvine, P, Fr.
Courtney Leyba, Cal State East Bay, OF, Jr.
Becca Jewett, Azusa Pacific, UTL, Fr.
Vanessa Porto, Dominican, UTL, Fr.
Jackie Najera, Chaminade, IF, Fr.
 
Batting Champion (regular starters):
Wendy Cardinali, Chico State
.625 batting average, 10-for-16, 9 Runs, 3 Doubles, 1 Triple, 2 RBI, 2 Stolen Bases
.938 slugging percentage, 
.700 on-base percentage
 
Top Pitcher (not necessarily lowest ERA):
Brooke Larsen, Academy of Art
0.00 ERA, 3-0, 1 SV, 1 GS, 1 CG, 1/2 SHO, 
14.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 21 K, 
.093 opp. batting average