TURLOCK, Calif. – After a pair of near misses to start the season this past weekend in Atherton, the Warriors pushed on as they traveled to Turlock for a two-day, three game series with California State University-Stanislaus. Jessup struggled to find their footing against the tough NCAA Division II foes, succumbing to a three game sweep.
FRIDAY: GAME 1
Jessup kicked off the double header sending senior Sam Anderson (Roseville, CA) to the hill. Anderson got roughed up early, allowing 3 runs in the first inning, followed by runs in both the second and third before finally settling down for back-to-back shutout frames. The Warriors managed to record just 2 hits in the contest, one of which came off of Stanislaus' starter Tyler Murphy who pitched six shutout frames while striking out five, earning the win in Jessup's 6-0 defeat.
FRIDAY: GAME 2
After the rough start to game one, Jessup looked to battle in game two, sending senior Phillip Chavez (Vacaville, CA) to the bump. Chavez allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work before being replaced by sophomore Cameron Morrow (Woodland, CA). Stanislaus broke the game open with a four-run sixth, followed by two runs in both the seventh and eight innings. Jessup finally got on the board with an eighth inning sacrifice fly from senior Dayton Kurian (Las Vegas, NV), followed by a run on a passed ball, but it wasn't enough in a 10-2 loss.
SATURDAY
For the third and final game of this three-game set, Jessup handed the ball to senior Zach Ricciardi (Chino Hills, CA). Ricciardi turned in a strong effort in just 3 innings of work, allowing 2 runs on just 4 hits. Once Ricciardi was pulled, the Warriors were put in a tough spot as they had to stretch their bullpen, using 4 pitchers in relief. Offensively, the Warriors were shut down by a combined effort of Jordan Kron and Robbie DeVries who combined for 9 innings of shutout baseball. Jessup managed to get 9 hits in the 7-0 loss, two of which came from Kurian and sophomore Ben Knudsen (Rancho Cordova, CA).
This tough three game sweep drops the Warriors' record down to 0-6 on the young season. The 2016 campaign is just the second year for the baseball program at William Jessup University. In their inaugural year back in 2015, Jessup finished 9-37-2 overall.
The season now moves on to Anaheim, where the Warriors will take on Bristol University this upcoming Friday and Saturday. The three game series will kick off Friday night with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch, followed with a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The home leg of the season will begin February 12 against Vanguard University at American River College.
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).
