ROCKLIN, Calif. – William Jessup University's softball team (15-23, 8-12) hosted Vanguard University (29-20, 10-10) at home but fell in both games of the doubleheader by scores of 5-3 and 12-3.
GAME 1
The day started out exciting and the thrilling play lasted through the entirety of game one. Vanguard plated one run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead but Jessup's response was prompt, scoring two in the bottom of the first.
Delany Slater (Folsom, CA) hit a one-out double deep into centerfield to warm up the Jessup bats in the bottom of the first. Kyla Cisneros (Visalia, CA) was the next batter up and sent the ball to the fence in between the left and center fielders for a double RBI. It was up to starting pitcher Shelbi Graifman (Antioch, CA) to keep the line moving and she grabbed a base hit through the right infield allowing Cisneros to reach home plate, leaving the inning with a 2-1 Jessup lead.
The lead was not long-lasting as Vanguard found the equalizer in the next half inning. The Warriors had a shot at taking back the advantage in the bottom of the third when Clarissa Blaquera (Union City, CA) sprinted through the third base turn on a right field base hit by teammate Riley Williams (Orangevale, CA), but a perfect throw from the nine spot beat Blaquera to home plate.
The score remained even through the regularly scheduled seven inning game and the teams moved into extras. The Lions entered the eighth inning with a look of determination and they scored off a double down the right field line to take the lead. They put up two additional safety runs before the Warriors again stepped up to the plate.
Jessup scored one run when Cisneros rushed home plate on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning but it would not be enough as the game ended with Jessup on the short end of a scoreboard reading 5-3.
Graifman started on the mound for the Warriors and pitched all eight innings receiving the loss. Graifman allowed five runs on six hits while striking out six. The win went to Vanguard's Alexandra Olvera who pitched eight innings allowing three runs on eight hits while also striking out six.
GAME 2
The streak of defensively centered games ended for Jessup in game two of Saturday's doubleheader. Vanguard broke the game open with a huge second inning scoring six runs on four hits and one Jessup error. They kept up their momentum, to a limited extent, scoring a seventh run in the third.
Despite a bleak outlook, the Warriors chose not to ride off quietly into the sunset. Cisneros got the bats running with a single through the left side of the infield and Graifman advanced her with a single sending the ball bounding over and past the second base bag. They each advanced into scoring position on a Blaquera ground out to second setting up a two-RBI single by Amanda Taylor.
Slater would add to the Warrior's move to come back, hitting a home run over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the sixth inning and bringing the score to 7-3. Despite the positive effort in the second half of the game, Vanguard would pick up another five runs in the top of the seventh inning, putting the game out of reach for the Warriors and claiming the 12-3 win.
Jessica Myers was on the mound for the Warriors pitching seven innings allowing 12 runs on 12 hits and striking out two. The win was credited to Vanguard's Taylor Doyle who pitched seven innings allowing three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.
The Warriors have one final series to play this season, hosting Menlo College next Saturday, April 23 for Senior Day. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m. with games to be held at Azevedo Park in Rocklin.
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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).
