ROCKLIN, Calif. - William Jessup University (6-8) visited Simpson University (14-2) for a doubleheader Saturday, taking game one 8-5, but were unable to hold on to game two, falling 6-2.
Game 1
The first game of the afternoon between the two long-time rivals turned out to be a slugfest with the Redhawks taking an early lead. In the second inning, Simpson's Kristin Beckmen drilled a two-run home run to open up the game.
Jessup mustered an answer in the next half inning as freshman Mikayla Laymance (Torrance, CA) hit her own solo home run in response. Still, Simpson did not falter, grabbing an additional two runs and a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
Despite the deficit, the Warriors kept their heads and owned the game from that point forward. Amanda Taylor (Rio Oso, CA) drove a ball deep into left field in the top of the fourth inning, sending home Riley Williams (Orangevale, CA) and Kayla Cisneros (Visalia, CA).
Cisneros hit her own solo home run in the sixth to tie the game before Jessup took the reigns in the top of the eighth inning. Junior Clarissa Blaquera (Union City, CA) stepped up to the plate with bases loaded and two outs and stared down the Redhawks pitcher, on a hot streak after striking out the last two. Blaquera worked the pitcher to a 2-2 count before finding her pitch, hurling it back over the fence for the grand slam.
Simpson would score one more before the end of the game to bring the score to its final showing of 8-5.
Senior Jessica Myers (Modesto, CA) earned the win from the mound for the Warriors, facing 31 batters over seven innings and grabbing three strikeouts while allowing five earned runs.
Game 2
The second game of the afternoon was almost the stark opposite of game one. Jessup carried their momentum into game two, scoring early in the top of the first when Williams rounded third on an errant throw.
Simpson answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second, but again, Jessup took the lead when Taylor grabbed an RBI on top of the fourth.
Jessup had the lead again but Simpson would have the last word as they proceeded to move their lineup while pushing four runs across home plate in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving them a 5-2 victory.
Shelbi Graifman (Antioch, CA) held the mound for the Warriors in game two, facing 27 batters and earning seven strikeouts on the night.
Jessup will open up conference play this weekend when they host Hope International University for a doubleheader Saturday, February 27 starting at 12:00 p.m. at Azevedo Park in Rocklin.
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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).
