ROCKLIN, Calif. - Hosting the Oregon Tech Owls for the second time this season, the William Jessup softball team rallied back from dropping the first contest 1-0 with a three-run bomb in the bottom of the sixth to take game two 7-4, splitting with the Owls and improving to 11-7.
GAME 1
The Warriors took a little time to warm-up against the Owls with a chilly 50-degrees at Azevedo Park to start the doubleheader. It wouldn't be until the international tiebreaker that a winner would be decided.
In the bottom of the second
Natalie Basaldua would start things off with the first hit of the day, a double to center field, but a quick three outs to follow would leave her stranded. It wouldn't be until the bottom of the fourth that another hit would crack the bat as
Shelbi Graifman singled but again stayed on second base unable to come around to score.
The final pair of hits would come from
Abbie Lewis and another shot by Basaldua, but nothing able to turn on the scoreboard from either side. In the circle, Graifman (9-5) allowed just three hits on one run with nine strikeouts, one in the top of the eighth that would be the deciding factor as the Warriors dropped game one by a single run.
GAME 2
While the Owls would hit the scoreboard first, each time the Warriors would answer back and in the final showdown would take the lead for good.
In the second and third Oregon Tech would push a run across in each inning to go up 2-0, but a single by Graifman would clear the bases as
Corina Salinas and Lewis came in to score to even up the ballgame.
Another lead would take place for the Owls in the top of the fifth, and again the Warriors would knock right back, this round a double by Basaldua her second of the day to again score Salinas and Lewis.
Starting pitcher for the Warriors
Jenna Patterson would pitch a total 6.1 innings with a tied game 4-4 before Graifman took the mound after a single batter in the sixth got on with a walk. The Owls would score their final run of the game to take the 5-4 lead but in true rising fashion, Jessup answered right back.
Leading things off in the bottom of the sixth and showing patience at the plate,
Jena Ovens would take her base and
Lauren Garoutte would follow with a hit by pitch. With two runners on in scoring position and a pair of out,
Corina Salinas hit a bomb up the middle to go over the fence as the Warriors would take the 7-5 lead.
A quick one-two-three was all they needed, and Graifman earned her tenth win of the season with a pair of strikeouts as the Warriors went home with the win.
They Lady Warriors will head back to the diamond tomorrow to face nationally recognized Southern Oregon for a doubleheader starting at 1 pm at Azevedo Park.
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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).
