COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Warriors did it again today with a one-inning spark to take the lead 4-0 in the bottom of the third, followed by a five-run frame in the fourth to defeat the regular-season champs and GSAC Championship host Vanguard University 9-1 to advance to the championship game tomorrow at 1 pm.

Scoreless through the two three innings with three hits, the Warriors came out firing in the bottom of the third inning sparked by senior Kyla Cisneros to bring in the first run of the game with a double up the center. But that was only the beginning as the Warriors loaded the bases with the Lions walking in a run for the 2-0 advantage with one out. Natalie Basaldua continued the hot sticks with a 2-run RBI single to score Clarissa Blaquera and Shelbi Graifman to go up 4-0 after three full innings. 

In the next at-bat for the Warriors All-GSAC award winner, Cisneros kicked things off for a second time with a single to start the inning.  The Lions would bring in their third relief but Graifman fought right back with her own hit to load the bases yet again for Jessup. Capitalizing on a walk and an error, the Warriors took a 7-0 lead with Basaldua collecting her second hit of the game. Tessa Harris would bring in the final two runs with a single up the middle as the Warriors scored their final run 9-0 at the end of four. 

Starting for the Warriors in the circle, Graifman pitched her second complete game of the tournament allowing just one run on five hits to improve to 14-8 in her junior season. This year's GSAC Pitcher of the Year held the Lions through the first four innings scoreless, allowing the solo run in the last-chance inning for Vanguard but was able to shut it down before another run would cross and the mercy rule favored the Warriors with a 9-1 victory.

Jessup will advance to the GSAC Tournament Championship game for the first time in program history taking on familiar opponent Vanguard University, who beat San Diego Christian in the double-header to advance to the championship game. In the double elimination tournament, Jessup will have to win the first game for the Championship outright, if not they will have to play another contest against the Lions directly after to decide the winner and automatic bid to the National Tournament.

 
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)