BRISBANE, Calif. – The rubber game in the three-part Pacific West Conference series between Academy of Art softball and Hawaii Pacific saw the two sides combine for just four hits as both starting pitchers traded five scoreless frames to begin. Though ART U gained the upper hand with a run in the bottom of the sixth, HPU was able to counter with a decisive two-run single in the seventh toward a 2-1 victory at Mission Blue Field.

Junior pitcher Kamielle Powell (2-13) was absolutely locked in on Tuesday, retiring the first seven batters she faced including a trio on three pitches or less. Though she allowed two baserunners in the third, the Advertising major was able to exit the frame unscathed.

While Sharks starter Taylor Thompson (8-7) was threatened by hits from freshman outfielder Danielle Shinko and junior infielder Audrey Allen in the third and fourth innings respectively, Powell proceeded to retire seven in a row during that stretch, striking out a pair to end the fifth. She worked her way out of a jam in the sixth before being supported by the first run of the ballgame on a single by freshman infielder Riannah Maulupe after sophomore outfielder Ari Mallari was hit by a pitch.

Following two walks to begin the seventh, Powell got two outs and was just two strikes away from completing the fourth no-hitter in program history, but a single just past the diving glove of Allen drastically changed the game as HPU went on to win 2-1. Powell allowed just one hit for the first time in her collegiate career as a starting pitcher, closing with two runs allowed and three strikeouts.

The Urban Knights pass the midpoint of their current 11-game homestand with a 3-24 overall record which includes a 2-12 mark against PacWest opponents. Though a defensive battle, Maulupe was still able to increase her reached base streak to 16 games with a 1-for-3 effort that included her 10th run batted in of the season. Allen (1-for-2) and Shinko (1-for-3) each had hits in the contest as well.

HPU emerges from the series now 13-21 overall and 7-11 in conference play after Taimane Panganoran provided the game-winning two-run single. Meanwhile Thompson earned the win with one run allowed on three hits and seven strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched.

Academy of Art returns to Mission Blue Field for one more PacWest series versus a Hawaiian opponent as Chaminade will visit for a noon doubleheader on Mar. 24 followed by a 2 p.m. single game on Mar. 25.