PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Warriors were back on the diamond today looking to battle for the series against a talented Arizona Christian team that would make it difficult, but Jessup found a way to get back on track and improve to 19-5 overall and 10-2 in conference play with a pair of wins and the series victory 2-1. 

Game 1:
Jessup was quick to get on the scoreboard in the 1st inning as Andrew Shaps singled to left field to get on base. and followed by a Cal Koga walk and Joe Starick taking his base on a hit by pitch, as the bases were loaded.  Connor Braun would also be walked moving Shaps around to the plate for Jessup to take an early 1-0 lead. 

It wasn't until the bottom of the 5th that ACU would put up the tying run with a pair of walks and a single.  

The battle continued as Jessup was finally able to break through in the top of the 8th to take back the lead.  Koga got it started with a single to right field, followed up by a Starick single that would push Joe Howell, pinch running for Koga, over to second.  Noah Shackles' sac bunt coupled with a fielding error put him on first, advancing Howell and Starick to scoring position. Kawai Takemura's would single through the right side to see Starick across the plate, giving Jessup the 2-1 lead.  

Back to back scoreless innings with Sam Curtis on the mound be enough to secure the win for the Warriors and a save for Curtis. Tyler Fujimoto would get the win, now 4-0 for the season.

Game 2:
The second game of the doubleheader saw the Firestorm with a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning.  

With strong pitching on both sides, the Warriors would trail until the top of the 4th when they found the contact they needed to move players around the bases.  

Shaps' would get the inning going with a single, followed by a stolen base. Koga took his base on a hit by pitch but was pushed around quickly as Braun's fielder's choice coupled with a throwing error by the Firestorm pushed him to third and Shaps home to tie the game at 1 apiece.  With Ben Knudsen at the plate, Koga came home on a passed ball as Braun advanced to second.  Knudsen's single allowed Braun to cross the plate, giving Jessup the 3-1 advantage.  Knudsen made his way around the bases, positioned at third, when Takemura's hit and a fielding error allowed him to cross the plate, seeing out the inning in Jessup's favor 4-1.

Arizona would rally back and put 3 runs up in the bottom of the 4th, closing the gap to 4-3. But Jessup was quick to respond in the top of the 5th with a run of their own from Shaps, distancing their lead to 5-3. 

Jessup bats would heat up one last time in the top of the 9th, Joey Torres and Austen Swift both crossed the plate to end the game 7-3 in favor of the Warriors. Steve Pastora would get the win from the mound with 5.1 innings pitched allowing just two runs on four hits with 2 strikeouts.

After the hard fought series Coach Jake McKinley said, "I am very pleased with how the group responded after a tough loss on Friday. The pitching picked us up and our bench players came through big time today."

The Warriors return to McBean Park next week to continue their conference play against Menlo College on February 2nd at 2 pm and a doubleheader February 3rd starting at 11 am.   
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).