CHICO, Calif. – Following a tough rematch with Stanislaus State to start Saturday's action at University Softball Field, Academy of Art softball found itself in a battle with Chico State early before the Wildcats strung together several multi-run innings for the victory.

GAME 1 – STAN 17, ART U 0 (5)
After five Warriors hits produced four runs in the first inning, the Urban Knights faced an uphill battle and though junior infielder Haley Randall doubled in the home half of the frame, it was Stanislaus State who added on in the second to go up 7-0. Academy of Art put runners on in each of the next two innings yet the Warrior rallies continued until the 17-0 final.

GAME 2 – CHICO 10, ART U 2 (6)
Though the Knights bunted Randall to second following her single in the first frame, it was Chico State who scored first, plating three runs (two unearned) in the second inning. Academy of Art responded quickly in the third, however, as graduate student outfielder Nina Vallejos singled, Randall walked, and junior infielder Katie Humphreys also singled to load the bases. From there, a two-out error and junior outfielder Maddie Sticka's walk closed the gap to 3-2.

The Wildcats pushed back with their own pair of scores in their half of the third, but ART U threatened immediately in the fourth as freshman utility Marissa "Roo" Menard bunted her way on and stole second ahead of another Vallejos single. An unfortunate double play and strikeout stopped the rally and soon two more unearned runs came across for Chico State. Two Knights were again aboard in the fifth, but the Wildcats added the runs they needed for the eventual 10-2 win in six innings.

ART U, now 1-7 to start the season, saw Randall offer hits in both games for a 3-for-5 day that included a double and a run scored while Vallejos went 2-for-3 also with a run scored in the second contest. Also in that game, Sticka added a 1-for-1 effort and her fourth run batted in and Menard was 1-for-2 with a stolen base.

After going 1-1 on the day thanks to a 7-3 loss to Chico State, Stanislaus State ends the afternoon at 2-1 overall. In the early game, Kaylee Heath finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored while Jessell Lewis (1-0) picked up the win, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings with one strikeout.

The day's two victories boosts Chico State to 5-3 as Anastacia Alba delivered a pair with her 3-for-3 day and, in addition to helping her own cause with a homer as part of a 2-for-4 effort, Katelyn Oldwin (1-1) did not allow an earned run in her complete 6.0 innings which included seven strikeouts.

Academy of Art is next set to play its second noon doubleheader of the year on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at Cal State East Bay in Hayward.