ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Warriors looked like they had pulled off a great win over the highly touted Oregon Institute of Technology Owls but a late comeback in the seventh inning of game two gave the Owl's a sweep on the day (8-1, 5-4)
Game 1
Sophomore Shelbi Graifman (Antioch, CA) took the mound for game one of the afternoon and struck out the first three batters, foreshadowing a good day for the Warriors. It would also be a Warrior who had the first scoring attempt as senior Riley Williams (Orangevale, CA) sent a scorching line drive toward the center field fence but an over the shoulder running catch from the Owl's center fielder held back the home run.
Soon, Oregon Tech found the timing in their bats. Oregon Tech would hit two-run homers in both the third and fourth innings, hit a three-run double in the fifth, and a one-run double in the sixth for eight runs on seven hits. Jessup wouldn't remain silent during the game, though. Freshman Kristina Ortiz (Clovis, CA) nabbed a home run in her first ever collegiate outing, scoring Jessup's lone run in the game.
Graifman was credited for the loss for William Jessup while Oregon Tech's starter Ann-Marie Guischer earned the win.
Game 2
Jessup quickly shook off the rust from the offseason and made sure to make game two of the double-header count. Junior Clarissa Blaquera (Union City, CA) nailed Oregon Tech's first pitch of the game well over the fence to kick off a string of offense for Jessup. The Warrior's biggest offensive inning would then come in the third when junior Ali Medina (Galt, CA) drilled a two-run home run.
Medina's power hit was followed by base hits from Williams and Ortiz before freshman Breanna Miskimen (Grass Valley, CA) lined into the center right field to bring Williams home and give Jessup a 4-0 advantage. The Owl's would attempt to strike back quickly as they put runners on every base with no outs in the top of the fourth. Cunning play from the Warrior infield; however, ensured that no runs crossed the plate and Jessup escaped to fight again.
Despite the stand, the Warriors offensive slowed to a grind after the third inning. Oregon Tech, on the other hand, scored two runs in the 6th inning, but the Warrior defense did not break. It looked like the Warriors had the game all in the bag with two outs in the top of the seventh inning when disaster struck.
Oregon Tech's senior Alyssa Davis battled through an intense count with two strikes and two outs but finally connected well enough to bring in two RBI's and tie the game. The Owl's would grab the go-ahead run on a very close call at home plate and go on to defeat the Warriors 5-4.
Jessup won't have to wait long to get back out on the field. The Warriors take on Southern Oregon at home in Azevedo Park at 9 a.m. Saturday morning before playing the NCAA DII Holy Names University that same afternoon at 2 p.m.
