SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Warriors hung in a close game against neighboring NCAA Division 1 opponent California State University, Sacramento, but a big 7th inning for the Hornets sealed Jessup's 6-1 defeat.
Jessup played some heads up baseball during the night, taking advantage of early mistakes by the Hornets. Early in the top of the third, Nainoa Hart (Hilo, HI) and Drew Valdez (Duarte, CA) walked, putting men on first and second with one out. Head Jessup baseball coach gave the bunt signal to freshman Steven Stockton (Concord, CA). Stockton executed his duties effectively, moving the runners each into scoring position.
Junior Ceaser Valenzuela (Somerton, AZ) took to the plate and after three tosses Sac State released a wild pitch giving Hart just enough room to squeeze in the go ahead run. Sacramento State worked to answer quickly, putting two runners on with one out in the bottom of the third, but were unable to match Jessup's result and the Warriors kept their 1-0 lead.
The Hornets did score in the bottom of the fifth inning, grabbing two hits but batting in the runner off a fielder's choice. Jessup made a lot of noise offensively in the sixth inning, loading the bases with only one out but a double play ended the Warriors' hopes to send the go-ahead run across home plate.
Sacramento State would use a non-conventional play to catch the Warriors off guard in the bottom of the seventh. With bases loaded a bunt down the third base line resulted in an infield single RBI. The Hornets went on to score three additional runs in the seventh and a final run in the eighth inning to claim a 6-1 victory.
Jessup rotated through their pitching staff, giving each pitcher one inning on the mound, but the loss fell to Manuel Velasquez (Downey, CA). Valesquez allowed four earned runs on three hits. Sacramento State's Matt Gorgolinski earned the win pitching 5.1 innings allowing one earned run and one hit.
William Jessup stays at home for the weekend to face Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) foe Hope International. Friday's game will be held at 6 p.m. at Bryant Field in Marysville. Saturday's doubleheader is set to begin at 11 a.m. at Yuba City College's Gary Engelken Field in Linda.
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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).
