2019 Softball Schedule

SAN FRANCISCO -- Academy of Art University Softball and head coach Alex Gomez have officially announced the Urban Knights' schedule for 2019. This 52-game campaign serves as an encore to a year highlighted by the program's single-season wins record and first postseason appearance in 2018.
 
Following ART U's Alumni Game on Jan. 26, Academy of Art opens up in Las Vegas with the Montana State Billings Desert Stinger tournament for the second consecutive year. The Urban Knights begin by facing Stanislaus State and Cal State Monterey Bay on Feb. 1 then a doubleheader follows the next day pitting the ART U against Northwest Nazarene and Saint Martin's before the tournament's Feb. 3 conclusion that features Cal State San Bernardino.

"Starting the season at the Desert Stinger really gives the team an idea of the competition," said Gomez. "Fall ball is nothing compared to regular season and I can't wait for the team to get a taste of that competitive atmosphere again. The returners are hungry for it and the players that are new to the team are eager to get started. I think that facing these opponents helps us conceptualize the skills and situational awareness that we have been stressing all fall and places us in a great position heading into our season."

Returning to California for the start of PacWest play, Academy of Art makes the short trip to Belmont for a Feb. 23 matchup with Notre Dame De Namur. The Knights then make their 2019 home debut hosting Cal State Monterey Bay the following week on Feb. 27. After hosting the NCAA West Regional Championship in 2017, the Otters did not make the postseason and, while carrying a No. 15 ranking, split with Academy of Art last year.

The month of March begins with ART U hosting Azusa Pacific for four games over Mar. 1-2 followed by Biola on Mar. 4-5. Academy of Art split doubleheaders with each team last season in Southern California, shutting out the Cougars and Eagles in the victories. One of the most highly-anticipated matchups comes next as ART U welcomes Concordia for four games over Mar. 10-11. The Knights and Eagles, who met four times in 2018 including twice in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships, conclude what will be a 14-game homestand for Academy of Art at Mission Blue Field.

"There's a reason that it is called a 'home-field advantage' and our team is eager to defend its home turf," said Gomez. "They take a lot of pride in their field and work hard to maintain it so there is an extra competitive edge when it comes to home games. During this stretch, I really want the team to make a statement that we are a program opponents don't want to have to travel to. I want our team to develop a territorial ownership of our field and give it everything they've got."

After the long stretch at home, ART U makes its first of two trips to Turlock for a non-conference twinbill at Stanislaus State on Mar. 13. That pairing comes prior to the conclusion of a four-game series with Notre Dame de Namur on Mar. 16 in Brisbane followed by the games one and two versus Holy Names in Hayward on Mar. 23. With Dixie State and California Baptist's departure from the PacWest, Academy of Art will get four looks at each team in conference for the first season to date.

"Playing each PacWest team four times is going to be challenging in its own right," said Gomez. "It gives us the chance to pick up on pitchers and plays and understand their hitters, but it gives the other team the same opportunities. This just further stresses the mentality that we need to want it more than every other team, no matter what."
 
Between Mar. 29-31, the Urban Knights will return to Turlock, Calif. to make its seventh consecutive appearance in the Tournament of Champions. Academy of Art will enter the annual 70+ game event hosted by Stanislaus State coming off its most successful run last season. Last March, ART U went 5-0 run in the tournament, topping No. 13 Sonoma State at the start and finishing with a 4-0 shutout of Western Washington. This year's matchups include UC San Diego and Central Washington on Mar. 29 followed by Cal State East Bay and Concordia (Ore.) on Mar. 30. The final day sees Academy of Art meet Montana State Billings on Mar. 31.
 
PacWest play will continue on Apr. 6 when the Urban Knights travel to Hawaii to face its three conference opponents on the islands. The trip begins with four games apiece versus Chaminade on Apr. 6-7, Hawaii Pacific on Apr. 9-10, and UH Hilo on Apr. 12-13. Academy of Art will look to build on an impressive 11-1 record in 2018 against these three schools before returning to the Bay Area.

"Hawaii is 'home' for me so I can't wait to show the team what it means to be able to play in the Aloha State," said Gomez. "I am familiar with the thick humidity and how that changes the movement and velocity of the ball off the bat so we will be adjusting our strategies accordingly. I think having someone who is familiar with the state gives us a competitive edge and I plan to use it as much as possible. The Tournament of Champions will give us a chance to get on a roll as a team and gain momentum for this long road trip."

On Apr. 18, ART U finishes its non-conference slate at local rival SF State before completing its regular season series with Holy Names back at Mission Blue Field Apr. 26. The last time the Knights and Hawks met in Brisbane, Academy of Art scored 30 runs over two Senior Day games.

ART U hosts its 2019 Senior Day for the first two games of a four-part series with Dominican on Apr. 27. The regular season then concludes the following week on May 4 in San Rafael versus Dominican at Penguin Field. For the teams who qualify, the postseason will begin with the NCAA DII West Regional Championship Tournament on May 9.
 
"One of the reasons softball is so amazing is that skills can get you to a certain point, but when everything else is exhausted and all bets are off, it's a game of heart," said Gomez. "Our squad has a heart for representing this school on the softball field and we are eager to show that to everyone. We want to peak at the right time in order to be successful and, if all goes as planned, the team will continue to improve as the season progresses so we can get our chance to really be the best version of ourselves in the postseason."