HAYWARD, Calif. – After gaining early leads in both games then delivering four-run rallies late, Academy of Art University Softball solidified its fourth doubleheader sweep of the year, defeating Holy Names at Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Field on Tuesday. Freshman pitcher Brooke Larsen (6-1) tossed another gem in the opener and she was supported by a big three-run double off the bat of senior utility Brenna Mitchell in the sixth en route to the 6-1 triumph. A season-high 14 hits and the first collegiate shutout from freshman pitcher Cecilia Lopez (4-1) highlighted ART U's 8-0 game two victory in six innings.

"The team was very hungry to get on the field today after a week off," said head coach Sonja Garnett. "They played loose and fed off of each other all day. We are really playing like a team and I think that is helping get the results."

GAME 1 – ART U 6, HNU 1
Despite loading the bases in the first inning, it was not until the second that the Urban Knights put runs on the board. After the second double of freshman catcher Alyssa Brundage's collegiate career, freshman infielder Jayda Alaan brought her home on an infield single and shortly thereafter, on a double steal attempt, ART U scored their second run of game.

Meanwhile, Larsen struck out four of five batters she faced through the second and third innings. She allowed just her second hit of the contest in the fourth, continued her shutout, and was supported by four more runs in the sixth.

After a two-out pinch-hit double by freshman catcher Lauryn Henderson, Academy of Art got a run on a wild pitch then loaded the bases for Mitchell. After already extending her current hitting streak to seven games in the previous inning, Mitchell smacked her second double of the contest to clear the bases and drive in three.

The Hawks would put together a bases-loaded rally of their own in the bottom of the sixth, but Larsen and the Knights defense would allow just one run. She came back with a vengeance in the seventh, striking out two more to give her eight strikeouts on the day and confidently sealing the 6-1 victory.

GAME 2 – ART U 8, HNU 0 (8)
The Urban Knights went right to work once again in the first inning of the second contest, putting runners into scoring position after sophomore outfielder Gabi Hirsch and Alaan both singled. After one scored on a fielder's choice, Henderson brought another in on her single through the right side and once again ART U led 2-0 early on.

Lopez, who had been perfect through the first three innings and needed just 17 pitches to get those first nine outs, allowed her first hit of the ballgame in the fourth. However, that single nor the one in each of the two innings that followed bothered her as she never allowed any of those baserunners to reach second.

Along the way, Academy of Art doubled its lead in the fourth when junior infielder Brenna Youngquist came through with a two-run double after a walk and a bunt single. That 4-0 advantage carried into the sixth when the Knights put together a four-run rally on six hits. It started with four consecutive singles, one of which drove in a run and gave Mitchell an eight-game hitting streak, then saw a two-run single from sophomore infielder Gracie Sotomayor and later a run-scoring double from sophomore utility Dominique Seva'aetasi.

ART U continued to show its defensive prowess with a double play after a leadoff single in the sixth and Lopez induced a flyout to complete her first collegiate shutout and trigger the run-rule, ending the game at an 8-0 score in that sixth inning.

Now 12-6 overall and 3-1 in PacWest play, Academy of Art was led by eight players putting up batting averages over .333 on the day. Alaan finished 4-for-5 with four runs scored and one run batted in, Henderson ended up 3-for-5 with a double and one RBI, and Mitchell continued to rake with another 3-for-6 twinbill that included two doubles and four RBIs. Youngquist was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, Brundage also went 2-for-5 with a double, Hirsch was 3-for-8 with a double and a stolen base, and Sotomayor added two more RBIs as part of her 3-for-8 day.

"We are doing the small things right offensively," said Garnett. "I am very happy with our approaches at the plate."

Once again tied for the PacWest lead with seven complete games, Larsen went seven strong innings on Tuesday, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts to pick up her sixth win of the year. It was her fourth time amassing eight or more strikeouts in eight starts this season and she was also 1-for-3 at the plate. Lopez did not allow a run or a walk in her 6.0 innings of work, surrendering three hits while striking out two.

"Cece has been rock solid in the circle for us these last few series," said Garnett. "She puts the ball where she wants it and is always challenging herself to be better. Today's shutout is definitely a product of the work she is putting in."

Holy Names falls to 1-10 overall this season and 1-3 in conference action. Haighley Kissee led the team offensively with a 2-for-5 doubleheader and the Hawks' lone RBI.

ART U will now approach four games at Mission Blue Field over three days with Notre Dame de Namur coming in on Friday, Mar. 9 and Pace beginning its 2018 season on Sunday, Mar. 11.