HAYWARD, Calif. – Out at Chabot College, the third and final game of the Pacific West Conference series between Academy of Art softball and UH Hilo needed an eighth inning to settle what became a 3-2 score in favor of the visitors after a sacrifice fly proved to be the difference.

While junior pitcher Kamielle Powell (2-11) was busy retiring the first nine Vulcans she faced on the day, the Urban Knights were able to provide one run of support in the second inning when a double by junior infielder Audrey Allen and a single from senior catcher/infielder Liberty Herrera helped set the table for graduate student outfielder Cailee Grayhorse-Pupecki to plate one teammate on a fielder's choice.

UH Hilo moved in front 2-1 with a sacrifice fly and a solo homer in the fourth, holding that margin until the sixth as Powell continued to execute defensively. Senior utility Alexis Folks, Allen, and ultimately sophomore infielder Kayla Vaughan each singled in the frame to knot the contest at 2-2.

After both sides were retired in order in the seventh, the Vulcans used another flyout with the bases loaded to move ahead 3-2 in the eighth and, though the potential tying run reached base in the bottom of the frame, ART U could not complete another comeback.

The day's result puts the Urban Knights at 2-22 overall and 1-10 in PacWest play. Each with multi-hit games, Folks, Allen and Vaughan combined to go 6-for-11 with two runs scored, one run batted in, and one double. Powell ended her eighth complete game of the season with three runs allowed on five hits and one strikeout in 8.0 innings pitched (second-most of her career).

Winners of three in a row, the Vulcans depart the matchup with Academy of Art at 16-12 on the year and 10-5 against conference opponents. Victoria Macias finished 1-for-2 with a home run while Madi Lee (1-2) collected her first win of the season with two runs allowed on six hits and two strikeouts in 8.0 innings of work.

With weather adjusting its next PacWest series, ART U now hosts Hawaii Pacific for a 10 a.m. doubleheader tomorrow back at Chabot College before the 2 p.m. finale on Tuesday, Mar. 18 at Mission Blue Field.