ROCKLIN, Calif. – It was a mild spring day in Sacramento, California Saturday as William Jessup University baseball bid a heartfelt goodbye to its senior class before kicking off a double header against Menlo College. Even though Jessup looked strong on the mound, it was their bats who struggled as the Warriors ended the day on a sour note.
GAME 1
The first game opened up as a classic pitcher's duel. After six innings Jessup's starting pitcher Sam Anderson (Roseville, CA) and his Menlo counterpart had combined for 14 strikeouts in the game and the score was just 1-0 in favor of the Oaks. The floodgates opened for the final three innings before the game settled into a 7-1 victory by Menlo.
Anderson, though credited for the loss pitched a beautiful seven innings allowing two earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out six in his final performance in front of home William Jessup University crowd. Menlo snuck in one run on Anderson and company in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly ball and two, two out runs in the seventh before Anderson struck out the final batter he would face at home.
Menlo would go on to score its remaining four runs of the game in the eighth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, senior Kyle Robinson (Modesto, CA) hit a triple down the third base line. He would walk home easily on a Menlo balk, plating Jessup's lone run for the game.
Menlo's starting pitcher Ashkhon Kuhaulua grabbed the win for the Oaks pitching seven innings allowing no runs on one hit and striking out nine. Kuhaulua had his best stuff working for him as he allowed Jessup to have zero scoring chances, but a high pitch count forced him to end his day after the seventh.
GAME 2
Menlo kept their momentum rolling into the day's second game, ending with a 5-2 win. The Oaks plated four runs in the top of the first inning but Jessup wasn't going to let the game run away, as they countered with two of their own in the bottom half.
Steven Stockton (Stockton, CA) led off the Warrior batting order with a base hit, advancing to second on a Kurian sacrifice bunt and stealing third. Steven Otaguro (Concord, CA) would get on base via a walk, putting Warrior runners on first and third. This allowed Ben Knudsen (Rancho Cordova, CA) and Joshua Duitsman (Bakersfield, CA) to each grab a base hit and an RBI.
Jessup experienced the bittersweet feeling of saying farewell to its first ever senior class on Saturday, recognizing eight seniors, each of whom played a crucial role in helping establish the William Jessup University baseball program over the last two years. The graduating class includes Anderson, Robinson, Otaguro, Nainoa Hart (Hilo, HI), Phillip Chavez (Vacaville, CA), Josh Johnson (Elverta, CA), and Steven Rodriguez (Reseda, CA).
Jessup still has one remaining home game Sunday, April 24, to make up the rained out game between Jessup and Menlo on Friday. The game is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. and 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).
