MARYSVILLE, Calif. – After allowing a big six-run inning Friday night that caused Jessup to drop their series opener, both the Warriors and the Mustangs of The Master's College returned to the field Saturday for a double-feature of college baseball. Jessup got off to slow starts early, placing themselves in a tough situation as they fell to a sweep.
GAME ONE
Senior Phillip Chavez (Vacaville, CA) was given the task of starting game one Saturday. Chavez faced some danger early from a tough Mustang batting order, but he managed to limit more damage, allowing four runs in the first three innings. Chavez would settle down in the middle innings, tossing three straight scoreless frames before being tagged for a run in the seventh that would end his day.
Offensively the Warriors did not do much to help themselves out, as just one of their eight hits on the day went for extra bases. Jessup got a run in the fourth on an RBI single from freshman Joshua Duitsman (Bakersfield, CA), and then one more in the ninth on a one-out single from Steven Otaguro (Concord, CA).
For Masters, pitcher Brad Lohse was dominant in his start, hurling an 8 inning gem in which he allowed just 1 run on 6 hits with no walks and 5 strikeouts. The right-hander had his mechanics working, as he retired 19 of the 28 batters he faced via ground ball or strikeout. The Mustang bullpen faced danger in the ninth, but did a good job with damage control as they clinched the 5-2 win.
GAME TWO
Game two of Saturday's doubleheader looked to be starting out strong for the Warriors, as Freshman Calvin Bonilla (Eagle Rock, CA) tossed a scoreless first inning. Bonilla's day would end in the second, however, as the Mustangs tagged him for three runs. Sophomore Manuel Velasquez (Downey, CA) would replace Bonilla, and turn in two innings of relief.
The biggest blow of the day came in the fourth when Masters struck for five runs to pull ahead by seven. Two of the runs came on a deep home run to right-center by Aaron Shackelford. Shackelford finished the day batting 2-for-4 with 3 RBI's.
Jessup was able to get a few more runs to cross the plate in the finale, with their first scoring off a wild pitch in the bottom of the second. The Warriors would add two more runs in the middle innings off a pinch-hit single from senior Nainoa Hart (Hilo, HI) and then an RBI double from sophomore Nathan Torres (Monterey Park, CA). One more run for Jessup would cross the plate in the seventh, but it was Masters who took the game with a final score of 9-4.
The Warriors' season continues on Friday, March 4 when they travel down to Southern California to begin a three-game series against Biola University. Jessup returns home on March 18 to host Hope International in Marysville.
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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).
