ROCKLIN, Calif. - In the season opener for 2017, the Jessup Warriors softball team picked up a pair of wins over the visiting University of Antelope Valley in a clean sweep to kick-off the year.

"I'm really excited to see us get off to such a good start this year. I think it shows how athletic we are as a group," head coach Kevin Amick said.
The Warriors set out for a double-header at Sierra College since field conditions were an issue due to weather, but that didn't stop them from taking a large lead in the first game, and ending the second game early after the run rule.

To kick-off the morning, starting in the circle for the Warriors was junior Shelbi Graifman.  Graifman had a career-high 13 strikeouts, pitching the complete 7-innings in game one, while only allowing one run to collect her first win on the season.

Offensively Corina Salinas cracked the bat first for the Warriors in the bottom of the opening inning with a RBI double to left to bring in Tessa Harris.

Jessup would come alive in the fourth inning pushing three more runs across sparked by senior Clarrissa Blaquera who reached first on a fielder's choice, as Kyla Cisneros crossed the plate to go up 2-0 over Antelope Valley.

But it didn't stop there, Ali Medina joined in on the offensive threat for the Warriors with a double to center to push two more runs across for the 4-0 advantage going into the fifth inning.

Adding two more in the fifth, the Lady Warriors took a 6-0 lead before Antelope would cross the plate in the top of the sixth for their solo run of the game, Warriors taking game one 6-1.

Heading into the second game of the day after a short break, the Warriors continued their hot hand in the batter's box and offensive dominance on the day.

"The team came out aggressively swinging the bats," Amick stated. "That's even more impressive considering we have only been on the field practicing two or three times this month due to all the rain."

The second inning was hot for the Warriors in game two with five singles to push seven runs across the plate. Natalie Basaldua capped off the streak with a two-run RBI off a strong hit up the middle as the Warriors took a 7-0 lead going into the top of the third inning.

Antelope would mirror the first game and post a solo run in the top of the fourth with a single to right center scoring the run.

Closing out the final innings, lead off for the day Tessa Harris hit a double to right-center to bring in a run and the 8-1 lead, and close the game after scoring from third on a passed ball for the Pioneers. Harris led with two hits and two RBI's in game two for the Warriors.

True freshman Mariah Gonzalez got the start for the Warriors allowing just five hits in the Pioneers 22 appearances at the plate with four strikeouts.

"Shelbi came out strong with a one hitter, and Mariah had a fantastic start for her first game in her freshman season. We are going to work hard to keep the momentum in place for the upcoming season," Coach Amick concluded.

The Warriors welcome Southern Oregon, Oregon Tech and Menlo College to Azevedo Park next week on Friday and Saturday for a double-header each day.

  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).