HILO, Hawaii – Perpetual rainstorms wreaked havoc with the Pacific West Conference matchup between Academy of Art softball and UH Hilo to start the Urban Knights' Hawaii roadtrip as a delayed and eventually suspended contest once again faced a delay and only completed six innings before being called due to inclement weather which ultimately forced the cancelation of the remainder of the series out at UHH Softball Field on Tuesday. The Vulcans prevailed 12-6, but the contest saw ART U load the bases three times in total.

Started on Apr. 11, the first part of the Knights' second game in its scheduled series with the Vulcans began with a hit batter and a walk to set up junior catcher/utility Cassandra Mittman's single plus an error for the first run before a heavier downpour forced a delay of more than 30 minutes.

When play resumed thereafter, the Vulcans responded with five scores on five hits in the bottom of the first frame and, following a scoreless second, four walks in the third scored the Knights' second run of the day before the game was suspended and slated to be picked up the following morning.

Attempting to finish the nearly half-completed contest on Apr. 12, Academy of Art returned to its bases-loaded situation and capitalized on a fielding error with two runs crossing home plate. The game was soon tied at 5-5 when junior outfielder Bethany Mitchell swiped home plate on an attempted double steal.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, UH Hilo turned three hits into four runs for a 9-5 advantage, but it was Mitchell who once again came through for the Knights in the fifth, doubling in one of two baserunners. The Vulcans would push back, however, with two runs in their half of the frame which led into another brief rain delay as both teams worked together to restore field conditions.

Two runners were left stranded in the ART U sixth, one more was plated by UH Hilo thereafter, and though Mitchell reached base and stole second to begin the seventh, a significantly heavier storm subsequently came through. With no sign of a stoppage, the game was called with the Vulcans winning 12-6.

With an overall record of 6-33 and 3-13 in conference play, Academy of Art was led by Mitchell's 1-for-2 performance which included two runs batted in, a double, a run scored, and two stolen bases. Mittman offered her sixth multi-hit game of the season at 2-for-4 while senior utility Alyssa Rasmussen was on base throughout the game, walking three times, scoring twice, and stealing two bases to give her 13 on the year. ART U's five total stolen bases were the second-most of the season back of the six against Cal Poly Humboldt that set the program record.

UH Hilo rises to 16-17 overall and an even 12-12 in PacWest play. Offensively, it was Chloe Domingo's 3-for-4 effort and Nikki Zielinski's three RBIs immediately after her in the lineup that were tops for the Vulcans while Tehani Seto (3-3) collected the win despite allowing six runs (two earned) and Malia Risdall earned her first save of the season with a scoreless 2.0 innings after her teammate.

With the remainder of its series with the Vulcans canceled, the Urban Knights will head back to Oahu to start a four-game stint against Hawaii Pacific this Friday, Apr. 15 at noon HT (3 p.m. PT).