COSTA MESA, Calif. – After having their games rained out this past weekend, the Warriors were finally able to get back on the field as they traveled to Southern California for a tow-day, three-game series with the Vanguard Lions. Jessup offensively only managed two runs a game, as the Lions swept the three-game series to kick off conference play.
Sophomore Joshua Duitsman (Bakersfield, CA) drove in both of the Warriors' two runs in the loss Saturday. Duitsman would single in a run in the third, and then a sacrifice fly in the fifth would add Jessup's second run. Junior left-hander Tristan Prybylinski (Discovery Bay, CA) tossed 4 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits.
The Lions took the lead with a two-run single in the second, adding insurance runs in the third and seventh to secure the victory. The Lions combined for five pitchers for four innings of relief Saturday.
Vanguard would take the second game of the series, Sunday's first game, by the score of 11-2. The Warriors pieced together 8 hits in the contest, but the lone runs would come in the fifth when junior Sam Curtis (Rocklin, CA) hit a two-run homer to tie the game at 2-2. The Lions would score five in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead for good.
Freshman Hayden Piner (Auburn, CA) took the loss in Sunday's opener, as the lefty allowed 2 runs (none earned) on 4 hits over 4 innings of work. The Warriors would use five relievers for a combined four innings and nine runs.
In the finale of Sunday's doubleheader, it was the Warriors who again only managed to plate two runs as the Lions secured the sweep by the score of 5-2. A run would score in the fourth off a Vanguard throwing error, and then senior Zachary Clement (San Diego, CA) would drive in a run in the seventh on an RBI single.
Senior Cameron Morrow (Woodland, CA) got the start in the series finale. Morrow tossed 4 innings while allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits while striking out five. Freshman Mikey Saldana (Visalia, CA) pitched 2 innings in relief.
Jessup will return home on Tuesday for a Valentine's Day matinee performance against Menlo College. This will be Jessup's first home conference game at McBean Park. Conference play will continue this weekend as the Warriors host Arizona Christian for another three-game series in Lincoln.
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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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).
