ROCKLIN, Calif.- William Jessup University played some solid baseball over the weekend out-hitting Hope International by two but mistiming just a couple of those resulting in ending on the short end of a 2-1 series split.
GAME 1
The Warriors made a strong showing, scoring in three different innings and although the game ended in a 4-3 loss, Jessup was only a hit or two away from nabbing the victory. William Jessup struck first in the evening when Nathan Torres (Monterey Park, CA) reached on an error which gave Steven Stockton (Stockton, CA) the green light to reach home.
Hope took the lead after their first productive inning in the top of the fourth where they put two runs on the board. Jessup came back quickly when Cesar Valenzuela's (Somerton, AZ) base hit in the fifth inning again gave Stockton room to reach home plate, tying the game 2-2.
Once more, the Royals took the lead from Jessup when, in the sixth inning, Hope scored an additional two runs. Jessup made another run at Hope when Nainoa Hart (Hilo, HI) doubled to bring Ben Knudsen (Rancho Cordova, CA) home. The tying run in the form of Kyle Robinson (Modesto, CA) would get stranded at third base in the inning; however, leaving the game to end with Hope on the winning end of a 4-3 result.
Sam Anderson (Rocklin, CA) got the start for the Warriors and allowed three earned runs on seven hits while striking out six Royals. Hope starter Payton Lobdell pitched only 2.2 innings before having to come out of the game due to injury. The win went to his reliever Justin Moulds who pitched 3.2 innings allowing one earned run on 3 hits and recording four strikeouts.
GAME 2
Jessup's starting pitcher Cameron Morrow (Woodland, CA) threw a nine-inning gem in the second game of the series. Morrow allowed two runs, one of them earned, conceding only six hits and striking out five in the victory. allow
After Hope opened the game building a quick 2-0 lead after scoring one run each in the second and third innings, Jessup's offensive production revved. Stockton hit the Warriors first RBI of the game in the third inning, singling to left field and allowing Michael Capocciama (Huntington Beach, CA) to score. Otaguro followed suit with a double to left field ensuring Drew Valdez (Duarte, CA) and Stockton each reached home plate safely.
Jessup tacked on two additional safety runs in the fifth inning thanks to a two-run home run from Robinson, his first home run of the year.
The loss in the game was credited to Hope's starting pitcher Dominic Potlongo who pitched six innings allowing four earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.
GAME 3
In the end, Hope would run away with the 6-3 victory but it is hard to imagine a more heartfelt fight by the Warriors, clawing to topple the Royals in Saturday's second game of the day's doubleheader.
Hope and Jessup traded runs in the second inning. Jessup's notch on the scoreboard came from a wild pitch which allowed Valenzuela to reach home plate from third base. Hope would go on to score the next four runs, posting three in the fourth inning and one in the fifth.
Jessup regained their footing in the bottom of the sixth when Knudsen and Dayton Kurian (Las Vegas, NV) each grabbed a hit, sending Torres and Valenzuela home. Jessup would eventually leave three runners stranded on base when Hope recorded the third out of the inning.
The Warriors worked again in the seventh to complete the comeback, and again they found the bases loaded. Further runs were not in the cards for the Warriors on this day, though, and Hope would add a safety run in the seventh to seal the 6-3 win.
Phillip Chavez (Vacaville, CA) was on the mound through 3.1 innings and was credited the loss allowing three earned runs off seven hits and striking out two. Reliever Justin Moulds earned the win after pitching three innings allowing one unearned run off three hits and striking out one.
The Warriors will be on the road next week visiting San Diego Christian University on March 23 and 24. They return to take on the NAIA preseason No. 1 Lewis and Clark on March 23 starting at 6 p.m., the game will be held 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).
