ROCKLIN, Calif. –  William Jessup University is entering the third season of their baseball program. The Warriors, led by head coach Mike Hankins, are welcoming in a new era in 2017 with the addition of McBean Stadium at McBean Memorial Park in Lincoln.

On Saturday January 28, Jessup will begin their season with a doubleheader against Oregon Tech University with first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m. The game will be the first ever at the newly renovated home of the Warriors.

After splitting home games between Marysville and Sacramento over the past two years, the Warriors now have their own stadium located at McBean Park in Lincoln. The field will consist of an artificial turf infield, along with a Bermuda grass outfield and clay mounds on the field and bullpen.

Conference play in the Golden State Athletic Conference will begin on February 10 when the Warriors travel to Costa Mesa to take on Vanguard University. The first GSAC game at McBean Stadium will be on Valentine's Day, February 14 against Menlo College.

The 53-game schedule will span the course of three months, as the season will conclude the same place it started, at home in Lincoln as the Warriors host The Master's University in a doubleheader on April 29.

Jessup will take part in non-conference games against several different opponents in 2017: Oregon Tech, College of Idaho, University of British Columbia, Saint Katherine College, Bethesda University, and Stanislaus State.

In 2016, Jessup finished the season with a record of 3-37, with all wins coming in conference play. Westmont College won the GSAC in 2016 with a conference record of 25-5.

Three conference opponents for the Warriors start the year ranked in the NAIA Top-25 coaches poll. Westmont College sits at No. 8 after winning the GSAC last season. The Master's University enters 2017 ranked No. 11, and Vanguard sits currently at No. 20.

Junior Ben Knudsen (Rancho Cordova, CA) enters 2017 as Jessup's top returning hitter. The outfielder batted .280 in 2016 with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. Jessup's RBI leaders from 2016, Steven Otaguro and Dayton Kurian (11 RBI each), completed their eligibility in the 2016 season and the fifth-year seniors will graduate this spring.

On the mound, junior Manuel Velasquez (Downey, CA) returns after making a team high 17 appearances in 2016. Senior Calvin Bonilla (Eagle Rock, CA) returns as Jessup's ERA leader from 2016, posting a 4.00 ERA in 36.0 innings of work.  
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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).