LA MIRADA, Calif. - William Jessup University scored two runs in the final inning of the three-game series Saturday at Biola University to grab the win and split the series 1-2 with the Eagles.
GAME 1
Jessup senior right-hand pitcher Sam Anderson (Rocklin, CA) started on the mound for the Warriors in what would be a close back and forth battle. Jessup kept up with Biola, but it was the Eagles that were making all the first moves and would wind up with the 7-4 victory.
Biola managed to start the game scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning before tacking on a third run in the fourth. Jessup answered with a massive fifth inning. With two on and two outs, Steven Otaguro (Concord, CA) singled to center field allowing Dayton Kurian (Las Vegas, NV) to score and put Jessup on the board.
The hit was immediately followed up by another base hit from Nathan Torres (Monterey Park, CA) to load the bases. Ben Knudsen (Rancho Cordova, CA), who had a great showing over the course of the weekend sent another line drive base hit into right center field allowing another two runners to reach home plate.
Biola posted two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to retake their lead, but once again the Warriors answered with a Torres base hit RBI sending Kyle Robinson (Modesto, CA) home and bringing the score to 5-4.
Despite knocking on the door, the sixth inning would be the last time the Warriors made offensive noise, eventually losing to the Eagles 7-4. Anderson was credited the loss allowing five runs, four earned, off nine hits and two strikeouts in five innings.
Game 2
The Warriors struggled to find a defensive answer to Biola in game two of the three-game series, as the Eagles would score on the Warriors in each of the first six innings before ultimately defeating Jessup 10-6.
Early it looked like the game would follow the previous evening's give-and-take as the Warriors scored two in the 2nd inning to tie Biola. Knudsen led the inning with a double for Jessup followed by Robinson who tripled down the right field line. Dayton Kurian grounded to 2nd but it was enough to bring Robinson home and tie up the game.
Jessup made a run at the Eagles in the top of the eighth inning when freshman Joshua Duitsman (Bakersfield, CA) hit a triple down the right field line, batting in two Jessup runners. He was followed by Otaguro, who singled and sent Duitsman home.
The Warriors, now trailing 10-6, put another runner on base before Biola made an interesting move. The Eagles pulled their starting catcher, Sam Thorne, who had been behind the plate for the past seven innings, and put him on the mound for the first time this season. The move was effective as Thorne retired the next five Jessup batters ending the game 10-6 and recording a save for Biola.
The loss was given to Jessup's Phillip Chavez (Vacaville, CA) who allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits in five innings.
Game 3
The Warriors grabbed the series' third game by the horn and was the first to post to the scoreboard. In their first at-bat of the game, Torres reached on a fielder's choice but sent Duitsman home from third base, giving Jessup their first lead of the series.
Biola would deliver a run each in the second and fourth innings but in the final inning, the Warriors warmed up their bats once more. Robinson reached first after being hit by a pitch and Kurian advanced him to second on a sacrifice bunt. Nainoa Hart sent a bullet along the ground straight the shortstop but it was mishandled by the fielder, putting runners on first and third.
A wild pitch gave Robinson enough room to safely reach home plate while Michael Capocciama, (Huntington Beach, CA) who was pinch running for Hart, advanced to second. Freshman Steven Stockton (Stockton, CA) was looking for his first hit of the day and found it at the most opportune moment as he sent his first pitch through the infield, bringing home the go-ahead run.
Cameron Morrow (Woodland, CA) earned the win for the Warriors after pitching a beautiful seven inning game. Morrow allowed only one earned run off six hits and sent three batters back to the dugout on strikes. Otaguro went 6-9 at bat over the course of the series, recording a run and two RBI's.
The Warriors will have a weekend of rest before returning home to host Hope International University on Friday, March 18 at Bryant Field in Marysville. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday. Jessup will host a doubleheader against Hope the following day starting at 11:00 a.m. at Gary Engelken Field at Yuba Community 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).
