Hayward, CA—Traveling just across the bay, the Academy of Art University's softball team faced Patten University in a double header Wednesday night. The Urban Knights had everything working for them during the two games. Strong pitching, solid defense and big offense gave the Academy of Art University the edge over Patten in both games. The Urban Knights won the first game on the mercy rule with a final score of 11-1. The second game proved to be much tougher for the Urban Knight offense, but they were able to come out on top winning the game with a score of 4-0.
Box Score #1
Playing with no homerun fence at Patten's Standley field, it was a hitter's ballpark, and proved to be that way quickly. The Urban Knights scored first by pushing two runs across in the top of the first inning. With one out, Ashley Roy tripled to right-center field. Alana Aweau then hit a deep sacrifice fly ball to left field that allowed Roy to score from third. Shampayne Clay followed with a single to center field and then stole second. Nicole Palme then hit a single to center field, scoring Clay from second. But Patten University answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, cutting the Urban Knight's lead in half.
The Academy of Art University did not let that slow them down. Their pitching settled in and did not allow another hit from a Patten batter for the remainder of the game. The Urban Knight offense exploded, as they scored two more runs in the top of the second inning, three runs in third, two runs in the fourth, and two more runs in the fifth. Together they combined for a total of 16 hits including, a homerun, a double, four triples and two stolen bases. The Urban Knights ended up winning the game in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule, with a score of 11-1.
Junior Ericka Ames was in the circle for the Academy of Art University. After the first inning, she was able to shutdown the Patten hitters. Ames pitched all five innings giving up only two hits, one run which was unearned, two walks and posted five strikeouts in the game.
Patten University's leading hitters were S. Medeiros who went 1-2 with a run scored, and V. Miller who also went 1-2.
Everyone's bats seemed to come alive for the Urban Knights in game one. Shampayne Clay had a great day at the plate going 3-4 with a homerun, a double, a stolen base, two runs scored and three runs batted in. Clay was just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Nicole Palmer also hit well going 3-4, with two triples, two runs and two RBI's. Ashley Roy went 2-4 with two triples, two runs and one run batted in, and Melissa Coe also went 2-4 with a stolen base, two runs scored and one run batted in. Shelby LaFond went 2-2 with a RBI and Ashley Petty went 2-3 with two runs scored in the game.
The Urban Knight's scored 11 runs on 16 hits, with one error and left seven runners on base.
Box Score #2
Playing game two under lights for their second night game of the season, the Academy of Art University came out to a much slower start. Game two proved to be a pitcher's duel as the game was scoreless through the first three innings. But the Urban Knights finally got something going in the top of the fourth.
Alana Aweau started the inning off with a single to center field. Shampayne Clay then moved Aweau to second with a sacrifice bunt. Aweau then stole third and was able to score on an overthrow by the catcher. That one run got the Urban Knights on the board with a small lead. The Academy of Art University capitalized on errors by the Patten team, and were able to score two runs in the top of the sixth and one more run in the top of the seventh; when Patten University's pitcher walked a run in with bases loaded.
The Urban Knight's pitching was solid all game. They got in a jam early in the bottom of the third when bases were loaded, but they were able to get out of it without allowing a run to score. With the Academy of Art University's strong pitching and their offense able to make adjustments at the plate, they ended up winning the game with a final score of 4-0.
Freshman Sierrah Garcia was on the mound for the Urban Knights in game two. It was her first game back in two weeks and she had a great outing. Garcia went all seven innings pitched giving up four hits, no runs, two walks, and managed six strikeouts in the game.
For Patten University, V. Miller again had a good game at the plate going 1-2 and A. Varady also did well going 2-3.
Alana Aweau really got things going for the Academy of Art University's offense in the night cap. She went 2-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored. Again Ashley Roy came through for her team going 1-2 with a double, and a run scored, and Melissa Coe went 1-4 in the game.
The Urban Knights scored four runs on four hits with one error and left five runners on base.
After the sweep, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 14-28 on the season, and Patten University's record falls to 5-25-1 overall. The Urban Knights are set to play their final game of the season on Saturday April 25th against Chico State. Game times are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00pm in Chico, CA.
