Box Score
San Leandro, CA – In their last non-conference game of the season, the Academy of Art University's softball team traveled across the bay to face Holy Names University in a single game on Wednesday evening. The Knights came out attacking but got into trouble early as they struggled offensively against the Hawks' pitcher. Strong defense and pitching of their own would not be enough for ART U, and even though the Knights were able to rally in the late innings, they would end up falling just short of the victory. At the end of the day, the Urban Knights fell to Holy Names with a final score of 2-3.
ART U threatened right away when they had runners on first and second in the top of the first inning. But they would not be able to manufacture any runs, and failed to capitalize on their base runners early on. The Hawks however, took an early lead in the game when they scored two runs in the bottom of the first. They later added one more run after scoring once in the fourth. The Urban Knights' defense and pitching was holding strong, but they were unable to get anything going offensively. Finally in the top of the sixth, the Knights were able to get something started.
Freshman Julie Martin led the inning off with a single, and then advanced to second on a bunt single by senior Alana Aweau, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Aweau then stole the next pitch to get herself into scoring position. Freshman Elyse Cordova followed with a soft ground ball to second, and advanced to second after Martin scored on the play. Freshman Lauren Stover then hit a deep fly ball to center field to score Aweau from third. But those two runs would be all they would be able to muster as they stranded Cordova at second.
After going three up-three down in the seventh, the Knights only managed to score twice in the game which unfortunately was not enough to overcome their opponents. Without the run support to back their pitching, the team was just edged out losing 2-3.
The Urban Knights registered just three hits in the game. They were led offensively by Aweau who went 1-3 with a stolen base and one run scored, and Cordova who went 1-3 also with a stolen base and one run batted in. Martin recorded the third hit for her team and went 1-2 on the day with one run scored.
Starting in the circle for the Knights was freshman Katie Brooks. She went four innings giving up six hits and three runs, while receiving the loss in the game. Sophomore Kimberly Dauer came in for relief and went two innings allowing three hits, and posting one strikeout.
For the Hawks, Taryn Thomas led going 3-4 with a double and one run batted in, and Melanie Verrico, Jordynn Elwood, and Kaitlyn Stutz each went 1-3 with one run scored. Receiving the win was Stephanie Fairclough who went six innings allowing one hit, and recorded seven strikeouts.
The Urban Knights scored two runs on three hits, had no errors, and left three runners on base.
After the loss, the Academy of Art University's record falls to 27-18 overall, while Holy Names University's record improves to 18-21 overall. The Knights next face Grand Canyon University in their final games of the 2011 season. The two day, four game series against the 'Lopes will be held this weekend, April 30th and May 1st. First pitch on both days is set for 12:00 and 2:00 pm in Phoenix, AZ.
