ROCKLIN, Calif. – The William Jessup University softball team hosted Indiana Wesleyan University on Tuesday for a doubleheader, despite hitting two home runs in game 1, the Warriors were swept in the series.
Game 1
The Warriors struck first in their first at-bat when Kyla Cisneros (Visalia, CA) nailed a two-out, two run home run deep over the left-center field fence.
The Warrior lead didn't last long as Indiana Wesleyan proceeded to mount a major inning in the top of the 3rd. After quickly loading the bases with just one out, the Wildcats relentlessly found the holes in the Warrior defense amassing seven runs. Wesleyan would grab another 2 in the top of the fourth before Jessup was able to answer.
The Warriors did not give up on the game; their defense for the remainder was particularly sharp through the end of the seventh. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Amanda Taylor (Rio Oso, CA) would grab her own two out, two run home run in an attempt to rally a comeback. Despite the boost it would be Jessup's last time on the scoreboard and Jessup would fall in game 1 by a score of 9-4.
Jessica Myers (Modesto, CA) got the start for the Warriors in the pitching spot and was credited the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits. Jessup's Taylor made her first appearance on the mound in relief, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on five hits. Indiana Wesleyan's Haley Nixon got the win for the Wildcats allowing four runs off seven hits in seven innings.
Game 2
The temperature dropped across the Sacramento region on Tuesday afternoon and so cooled the bats of the Warriors and Wildcats in game two of the day's doubleheader. The matchup turned from a slugfest to a pitcher's duel as a chilly mist settled across the diamond.
The only run of the game came in the top of the first inning as the third batter that Jessup pitcher Shelbi Graifmann (Antioch, CA) faced grabbed an opportunity for a solo home run. For the rest of the day, Jessup would post three additional hits, but none in the same inning while the Wildcats would grab four more, but no batter was afforded the opportunity to round the bases.
Graifman earned the loss for the Warriors allowing one run and five hits while striking out six. Kaisey Carson earned the win for the Wildcats with three strikeouts. Each team's defense was flawless posting zero errors each in the matchup. Junior Clarissa Blaquera led Jessup offensively with two hits out of six plate appearances including a two run homerun in game one.
The Warriors will get a considerable break before returning to conference play at No. 20 Biola University on March 16. The Warriors return home on March 23 to take on La Sierra University in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
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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).
