ROCKLIN, Calif. – Jessup created solid offensive production against a well-renowned defense in the second ranked perennial powerhouse Lewis-Clark College but struggled to keep the visiting team off the bases eventually succumbing to an 11-5 defeat.
Lewis-Clark opened the game with a 3-0 lead scoring one in the first and two in the second inning, but Jessup followed closely.
The Warriors made it on the board in the bottom of second inning when Joshua Duitsman (Bakersfield, CA) led off with a single through the gap between first and second. He advanced to third after Ben Knudsen (Rancho Cordova, CA) singled into right field. A wild pitch gave Duitsman just the space he was looking for and he safely slid into to home.
It looked as though Lewis-Clark State may run away with the game when they combined for five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take an 8-1 lead. The Warrior dug deep; however, and found a response in the sixth inning.
Pinch Hitter Zach Clement (San Diego, CA) led the inning with a single batting from the left side. Freshman Michael Capocciama (Huntington Beach, CA) would run for Clement and he would advance off a hit from teammate Duitsman. Knudsen flew out but hit it deep into right field giving Capocciama just barely enough time to tag up and reach third.
Nainoa Hart (Hilo, HI) picked up the first RBI of the inning with a line drive to left field. Drew Valdez (Duarte, CA) capped off the inning sending a worm burner under the glove of a diving short stop grabbing an RBI as Duitsman crossed home plate.
Jessup would keep the bats moving in the seventh inning when Steven Stockton (Stockton, CA) singled on a well-placed lead off bunt catching Lewis-Clark off guard. Stockton would eventually make his way around the diamond scoring off an RBI from Clement.
Jessup put up a final run in the bottom of the ninth but not before allowing three runs in the top of the same inning bringing the final score to 11-5 favoring the visiting Lewis-Clark State.
William Jessup University will have two more three-game series at home this season, starting with No. 7 Westmont College next weekend, April 8 and 9. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday. Games on both days 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).
